No neutron flux for P-B11 fuel, but if used as a neutron source for a fusion/ fission hybird, D-D or D-T would be used. A beryllium anode was suggested because it is mostly transparent to x-rays (not heated up as much). But in a D-D machine, the beryllium would absorb alot of neutrons (would it absorb fast neutrons?). Would it survive long under these conditions (both the thermal load from neutron impacts, and the transmutations that could occur).Brian H wrote:The cooling of the electrodes is expected to constrain the power levels, which scale with the "shot" frequency; about 330Hz would probably be the sweet spot to begin with, which would generate about 5MW. The neutrons are few, only resulting from side reactions, and are slow, not fast. They will be stopped by a water/B10 shell enclosing the entire rig. No radiation above ambient is expected outside the shell.D Tibbets wrote: ...
Given efficient x-ray energy recovery and some solution to rapid cathode erosion, the claimed Q of ~ 1.8 would be the greatest economic limitation. Given 80% conversion of fusion charged particle energies and bremsstrulung x-ray energy recovery means that for every 1 MW of energy input (= waste heat) there would be ~ 1.5 MW of usefull electrical output. The machines are small, but with the ~ 500 KW of excess power out you would have to cluster alot of machines to generate ~ 100's MW powerplant outputs....
As has been mentioned, a DPF, even at much lower efficiencies would make an excellent neutron source for a fusion/ fision hybird plant (using D-D as the fuel). It may have cheaper life cycle costs compared to a larger FRC system, and it's small size (without the X-ray shield) might be ideal for embeding within a fission structure...
Dan Tibbets
As for electrode erosion, that would be correspondingly less, since there is no fast neutron flux. Servicing is expected semi-annually or less.
As an intermittant intense x-ray or neutron source for expermental purposes, it might serve as well as the NIF laser system, but at a cost that is much less.
Dan Tibbets