Real-time fusion power monitor via neutron activation of circulating fluid

by 1984- Clark, Brandon Richard

CLARK, BRANDON RICHARD. Real-time Fusion Power Monitor via Neutron Activation of Circulating Fluid. (Under the direction of Mohammed A. Bourham.) Much effort has been devoted to the concept of fusion reactors, both magnetic and inertial confinement, to pursue an alternative source of energy. The concept of tokamaks have shown the most promising in magnetic confinement fusion, and thus an international effort has combined the expertise of the scientific community to build the first test reactor in southern France. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) will employ a diagnostic tool which circulates a fluid that is activated by the fusion neutrons. The activated fluid is then monitored by a detector, whose resulting data is used to infer the fusion power. This work set out to computationally apply the same design theory to the General Atomics DIII-D toroidal fusion reactor, located in La Jolla, California. With a careful choice for the irradiation site, the device should be able to both accurately infer fusion power and the neutron flux incident upon material samples. Monte Carlo simulations were employed to determine the activation yield, as well as the best detector geometry and resulting detection yield. Other components such as delay tank, heater, and pump are either discussed or investigated. A