Nuclear performance assessment of ARIES-AT

The transition to a new ARIES design always involves a significant change in the engineering system with emphasis on high performance. Compared to ARIES-RS, numerous improvements were noted in ARIES-AT, ranging from physics improvements to a focus on advanced engineering for an economically and environmentally attractive source of energy. During the course of the ARIES-AT study, we closely monitored the key nuclear parameters and called for measures to enhance the engineering and physics aspects of the design. Optimization of components’ constituents, characterization of the radiation environment, and meeting the ARIES-AT specific design needs were also given considerable attention. A key engineering aspect of ARIES-AT is its compactness and the high-conversion efficiency (∼60%) of the LiPb/SiC blanket that is capable of performing at high temperature (∼1000 °C). Certain features of the nuclear activity were focused on areas unique to ARIES-AT, including breeding potential of the LiPb/SiC blanket containing tungsten stabilizing shells, high-performance shielding components to protect the high-temperature superconducting magnet, and compact radial builds to minimize the volume of solid waste requiring near-surface geological burial. The final design satisfies the top-level requirements and no serious nuclear issues have been identified for ARIES-AT. A salient design feature is the significant reduction in the ARIES-AT radwaste volume relative to precedent designs developed since the inception of the ARIES project in the late 1980s. Design measures such as the high-power density, well optimized shield, and blanket segmentation with extended service lifetime have all contributed to the waste minimization.