PPPL-2020_274 The Fission-Fusion Hybrid Molten Salt
Reactor: A Clean Energy Game Changer
PPPL Author:
Robert Woolley
Abstract:
This White Paper proposes the Fission-Fusion Hybrid Molten Salt
Reactor (FFHMSR) as the solution to the world's growing need for
abundant, carbon-free, safe electricity. The FFHMSR combines a
critical molten salt fission reactor with a fusion source of
energetic neutrons in a single connected system, offering
advantages that neither has independently. The molten salt reactor
provides improved safety and greater efficiency, while the neutron
source's high energy neutrons eliminate the need for fuel
enrichment and reprocessing and can remove all actinides from the
waste stream. The dynamic balance between the dual processes
capitalizes on their strengths and synergies.
The FFHMSR enables a closed fuel cycle and a 100-fold increase in
fuel utilization. The FFHMSR provides greatly increased
proliferation resistance and a greatly reduced volume of waste. It
can be fueled with spent nuclear fuel, mined uranium, depleted
uranium and abundant thorium. This novel concept, an
implementation of an idea patented in 20166, relies on technology
available today. The FFHMSR combines nuclear fission and nuclear
fusion in an integrated system with each doing what it does best.
Related information may be found in U.S. Patent 9,368,244 B2,
issued to Dr. Woolley in June of 2016.