TOKAMAK TRITIUM PRODUCTION REACTOR

A concept is presented for a fusion neutron source based tritium produ ction reactor called the Tokamak Tritium Production Reactor (TTPR), wh ich could meet the U.S. needs for replenishment of weapons tritium dur ing the first half of the next century. The TTPR concept is based on p hysics and technology that either exists or is being developed and wil l be tested under integrated, prototypical conditions in the Internati onal Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The TTPR can provide 2 kg/yr tritium for weapons replenishment operating at a fusion power l evel of 500 to 1000 MW and at a plant factor of 10 to 25%. No structur al component should need to be replaced because of radiation damage du ring the 40-yr lifetime of the TTPR, and it should be possible to disp ose of the TTPR on decommissioning as low-level waste that qualifies f or shallow land burial.