They talked about Q value alot, but why compare those to pure-fusion test projects? Strapping a nuclear reactor is obviously going to generate more energy than an experimental device not designed to break even. What I want to know is it predicted to be more or less efficient than a reactor by itself, what other advantages it might have, is it capable of recycling nuclear waste for example.
One advantage of these reactors is they’re completely meltdown proof. You design the fission component to be sub-critical - the fission core can only maintain a reaction as long as the neutron flux from the fusion reactor is maintained. The neutron flux doesn’t just enhance fission, it’s a necessary component for the fission to keep going at all. And the fusion portion doesn’t make net energy, it’s just a glorified way of turning electricity into neutrons.
If anything goes wrong, you just flip a switch and shut down the fusion part of the reactor. Temp starts increasing too much? A sensor flips a switch and the fusion reactor shuts off automatically.
They talked about Q value alot, but why compare those to pure-fusion test projects? Strapping a nuclear reactor is obviously going to generate more energy than an experimental device not designed to break even. What I want to know is it predicted to be more or less efficient than a reactor by itself, what other advantages it might have, is it capable of recycling nuclear waste for example.
One advantage of these reactors is they’re completely meltdown proof. You design the fission component to be sub-critical - the fission core can only maintain a reaction as long as the neutron flux from the fusion reactor is maintained. The neutron flux doesn’t just enhance fission, it’s a necessary component for the fission to keep going at all. And the fusion portion doesn’t make net energy, it’s just a glorified way of turning electricity into neutrons.
If anything goes wrong, you just flip a switch and shut down the fusion part of the reactor. Temp starts increasing too much? A sensor flips a switch and the fusion reactor shuts off automatically.