Advances in the reactor concept: from the second generation of nuclear fission reactors to the fusion reactor

The article outlines relations between advanced fission reactors and fusion reactors, analogies in the heat transfer processes of the two reactor systems, and differences between fission and fusion reactors. The following issues are dealt with: 1) The cooling systems of the Wisconsin Tokamak Fusion Reactors UWMAK I and II, of the sodium- and helium-cooled breeder reactors, fast breeders and hybrid reactors; 2) the differences between D-T, D-D, 3He-D, and 11B-p fusion reactors; 3) some possible combinations of high-temperature and fusion reactors, and; 4) hybrid reactors in which neutrons released in fusion reactions are used to breed plutonium from 238U or thorium from 233U. (Auth.)