Reply To: Repowering the electric utility industry

[asymmetric_implosion]

The alpha particles are directional if they travel with the ion beam. However, directed alpha particles do not guarantee directed neutrons. For neutron collimation, you typically require that the kinetic energy of the particle driving the reaction is greater than the energy released in the neutron producing reaction. LLNL had shown how you get directed neutrons using specific reactions with unique properties. However, directed neutron scatter and become isotropic neutrons.

I agree that neutron energy is important in terms of the neutron population, but the neutrons are likely to be reasonably energetic (>500 keV) which means activation of most common materials that make up capacitors and current carrying components. Thermal neutrons react very well with most materials so you could have a significant activation. 10 kW of heat in the context of more than 100 kW of heat is not a big deal.

The number came from a discussion on the site. I don’t know the source. I wouldn’t be shocked if it came from Eric or someone close to the project. He has been working on this concept for a long while. I’m sure he’s thought through the system and potential down falls.