A plasma focus driven fusion-fission hybrid reactor

This chapter proposes the use of a multiple plasma focus system as a fusion fuel factory. Suggests the coupling of a MHD generator to the plasma focus for energy recovery. Explains that a fission blanket with a blanket gain of unity surrounds the plasma focus and is removed after sufficient concentration of fissile material has been bred by 14-MeV D-T neutrons. Finds that the energy break-even point of the hybrid system is lowered to 59 MJ by a factor of 18 from that of the pure fusion reactor and it can invert the electrical energy into nuclear energy in 14-Kg of 233U per year. Recommends the use of an array of multiple plasma foci to reduce the engineering problems. Points out that the break-even hybrid driven by the plasma foci may be useful for testing and evaluating the larger fusion hybrid reactors considered for major fusion devices since the capital cost and the engineering problem of the system seem affordable. For a net electric power production, development of focuses with more than 100 MJ input energy is necessary