Advanced fuel fusion reactors: towards a zero-waste option

Abstract

Low activation materials are only a partial response to the requirement of a really environmentally sound fusion reactor: another way round to tackle the problem is the reduction of the neutron flux and subsequent material irradiation, possibly by exploring other possible fusion reactions such as the DeuteriumHelium-3 one. Most of the studies and experiments on nuclear fusion are currently devoted to the Deuterium-Tritium (DT) fuel cycle. The recent stress on safety by the world community has stimulated the research on 'advanced' reactions, such as Deuterium-Helium-3 (DHe3). IGNITOR is a proposed compact high magnetic field tokamak. A design evolution of IGNITOR in the direction of a reactor using a DHe3 fuel cycle has led to the proposal of the Candor experiment. This paper deals with the radioactive waste issue for fusion reactors, proposing an innovative solution (the "zero-waste" option), which is a clear advantage of fusion power versus fission, in view of its ultimate safety and public acceptance. Fusion reactors with advanced DHe3 fuel cycle turn out to have quite outstanding environmental advantages.