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Traditional fusion reactors do produce fast neutron radiation, which, in addition to causing problems like weakening the structure (which can be mitigated with
by LeifCarrotson 7y ago
Traditional fusion reactors do produce fast neutron radiation, which, in addition to causing problems like weakening the structure (which can be mitigated with better materials, better engineering, and by replacing subcomponents over time) is able to irradiate U238 into PU239.
Drop a chunk of U238 in/near the fusion reactor somewhere, let it absorb stray neutrons, and you'll soon have some plutonium. That's bad for control of nuclear weapons proliferation, which relies on high-energy neutron sources like breeder reactors being difficult to build and expensive.
Not sure about the radiation profile from this system though.
- goda90 7y agoI'm not very knowledgeable about fusion, but it looks like this system is aneutronic fusion, so those concerns would be lessened too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aneutronic_fusion#Boron https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aneutronic_fusion#Boron
- mrfusion 7y agoA simple security camera or hank the security guard could easily guard against someone setting up shop and producing plutonium.
- earthboundkid 7y agoIf you have the uranium, couldn’t you afford to bribe Hank?
- philipkglass 7y agoThe general anti-proliferation challenge is harder than that. It includes guarding against the production of weapons material with the collusion of the host country and plant operators. Consider e.g. the degree of assurance needed to provide North Korea with a new power plant that can never aid its nuclear weapons program.