• E. P. Velikhov
  • M. V. Kovalchuk
  • E. A. Azizov
  • V. V. Ignatiev
  • S. A. Subbotin
  • V. F. Tsibulskiy

The paper presents the results of the system research on the coordinated development of nuclear and fusion power engineering in the current century. Considering the increasing problems of resource procurement, including limited natural uranium resources, it seems reasonable to use fusion reactors as high-power neutron sources for production of nuclear fuel in a blanket. It is shown that the share of fusion sources in this structural configuration of the energy system can be relatively small. A fundamentally important aspect of this solution to the problem of closure of the fuel cycle is that recycling of highly active spent fuel can be abandoned. Radioactivity released during the recycling of the spent fuel from the hybrid reactor blanket is at least two orders of magnitude lower than during the production of the same number of fissile isotopes after the recycling of the spent fuel from a fast reactor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1134-1137
Number of pages4
JournalPhysics of Atomic Nuclei
Volume78
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2015
Externally publishedYes

    Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

    Research areas

  • closed fuel cycle, fuel, fusion neutron source, natural uranium resources, spent fuel recycling radioactivity

ID: 88205264