Feasibility of Colliding-beam fast-fission reactor via $^{238}$U$^{80+}+^{238}$U$^{80+}\to $4 FF$+$ 5n $+$ 430 MeV beam with suppressed plutonium and direct conversion of fission fragment (FF) energy into electricity and/or Rocket propellant with high specific impulse
ORAL
Abstract
Uranium-uranium colliding beam experiment$^{1}$, used fully ionized $^{238}$U$^{92+}$ at energy 100GeV$\to \leftarrow $100 GeV, has measured total $\sigma = $ 487 b. Reaction rate of colliding beams is proportional to neutron flux-\textit{squared}. First functional Auto-Collider$^{3-6}$, a compact Migma IV, 1 m in diameter, had self-colliding deuterons, D$^{+}$, of 725 KeV$\to \leftarrow $725 KeV, resulting in copious production of T and $^{3}$He. U$+$U Autocollider\textit{ ``EXYDER}'' will use strong-focusing magnet$^{7}$, which would increase reaction rate by 10$^{4}$. 80 times ionized U ions accelerated through 3 MV accelerator, will collide beam 240 MeV$\to \leftarrow $240 MeV. Reaction is: $^{238}$U$^{80+\, }+ \quad^{238}$U$^{80+\, }\to $ 4 FF$+$ 5n $+$ 430 MeV. Using a simple model$^{1}$ fission $\sigma_{f}$ $\sim$ 100 b. Suppression of Pu by a factor of 10$^{6}$ will be achieved because NO thermal neutron fission can take place; only fast, 1 -3 MeV, where $\sigma_{abs}$ is negligible. Direct conversion of 95{\%} of 430 MeV produced is carried by electrically charged FFs which are magnetically funneled for direct conversion of energy of FFs \textit{via} electrostatic decelerators$^{4,\, 11}$. 90{\%} of 930 MeV is electrically recoverable. Depending on the assumptions, we project \underline {electric} power density production of 20 to 200 MW$_{e}$ m$^{-3}$, equivalent to Thermal 1.3 -- 13 GW$_{th}$m$^{-3}$. If one-half of unburned U is used for propulsion while rest powers system, heavy FF ion mass provides specific impulse Isp$=$10$^{6}$ sec., 10$^{3}$ times higher than current rocket engines.
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Authors
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Tim Hester
California Science \& Engineering Corporation (CALSEC)
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Tim Hester
California Science \& Engineering Corporation (CALSEC)