Edward H Cheng

US Patent:

46631100, May 5, 1987

Filed:

May 21, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/736962

Inventors:

Edward T. Cheng - Del Mar CA

Assignee:

GA Technologies Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G21B 100

US Classification:

376146

Abstract:

A fusion blanket includes a chamber wall, a multiplication section, an enrichment section and a reflector in radially outward succession, respectively. The chamber wall isolates the fusion reaction chamber from the remainder of the blanket. Fusion neutrons bombard atoms in the multiplication section to free further neutrons which are then available for breeding fuel. The enrichment section contains fertile fuel of sufficient dilution to maximize the enrichment rate and minimize fast fission. Materials may be included in the multiplication section and the enrichment section to reduce thermal neutron flux, thereby suppressing thermal fission. Additionally, tritium may be bred in both sections. The fertile material is exposed to neutron bombardment until the desired enrichment is achieved. The particles may be removed and mixed to minimize nonuniformities in enrichment.