Patent Number: 043702953
Section: summary

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is in the field of fusion-fission reactor design and particularly directed toward an integrated toroidal field/blanket structure for optimizing reactor power output. 2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous theoretical and conceptual studies have been made of fusion-fission reactor designs. In most cases the d,t fusion reaction is utilized to generate high energy neutrons which cause fission reactions in a surrounding blanket of fissile-fertile material. These fission reactions generate additional neutrons as well as release a substantial amount of energy on the order 200 Mev per fission. Low energy neutrons additionally react in the blanket to produce fissile material which itself produces fission energy upon subsequent reaction with fast or slow neutrons. Reference is made to recent fusion-fission studies as reported in DCTR Fusion-Fission Energy Systems Review Meeting, Dec. 3-4, 1974, ERDA-40, and Proceedings: U.S.-U.S.S.R. Symposium on Fusion-Fission Reactors, July 13-16, 1976, CONF-760733, incorporated herein by reference. These prior art studies have typically utilized conventional designs for achieving thermonuclear controlled reactions which have been modified to include the blanket of fissile-fertile material surrounding the fusion region. For some cases, such as the Tokomak hybrid designs, the fissile-fertile blanket has been positioned adjacent the plasma region with large toroidal field coils surrounding the entire fusion region including a magnet shield used to protect the TF coils. In other studies the fissile-fertile blanket is located exterior to the outer radius of the toroidal field coils. A lithium breeding section is usually provided in order to generate tritium to replace that used in the d,t reaction. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a highly efficient fusion-fission power generating device. A further object of the invention is to provide a fusion-fission power generating device of the toroidal configuration wherein the toroidal field coils are positioned immediately adjacent the toroidal plasma containment region and fissile-fertile material is positioned within the region of the toroidal field coils. Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improved modular fusion-fission generating device wherein a fusion-fission power core is separable from a surrounding moderator/blanket means and may be replaced by a replacement fusion-fission power core. In accordance with the principles of the invention there is provided a fusion-fission reactor having a plasma containing toroidal fusion region for producing high energy neutrons from fusion reactions and a region external to the fusion region containing material which is both fissile with respect to high energy neutrons and fertile with respect to low energy neutrons. The reactor comprises a toroidal field generating means, a region of fissile-fertile material positioned within a region of the toroidal field generating means, and the toroidal field generating means are positioned substantially adjacent the toroidal fusion region. There is also provided in accordance with the teachings of the invention a fusion-fission power generating means having a plasma containing toroidal fusion region for producing high energy neutrons from fusion reactions and a region external to the fusion region containing material which is both fissile with respect to high energy neutrons and fertile with respect to low energy neutrons. The generating means comprises a fusion-fission power core, and a modulator/reflector means positioned proximate the fusion power core. The fusion-fission power core is separable from the power generating means whereby the fusion-fission power core may be removed from the power generating means and replaced by a replacement fusion-fission power core. The fusion-fission core comprises a toroidal field generating means, a region of fissile-fertile material positioned with a region of the toroidal field generating means, the toroidal field generating means being positioned substantially adjacent the toroidal fusion region and means for containing the toroidal field generating means. A method is also disclosed of increasing the efficiency of operation of a fusion-fission power generating device having a plasma containing fusion region for generating high energy neutrons from fusion reactions and a region external to the fusion region containing material which is both fissile with respect to high energy neutrons and fertile with respect to low energy neutrons. The method comprises the steps of positioning toroidal field generating means substantially adjacent the toroidal fusion region and incorporating fissile-fertile material within a region of the toroidal field generating means.