Computational validation and multiplier effects on tritium production in hybrid reactor blanket mock-up

Abstract

In this study, a simplified computational model of the blanket mock-up is created using the SERPENT Monte Carlo Code. The nuclear data is obtained from the enriched ENDF/B.VII.1 data library to conduct this study. The model is validated, as the error percentage for 63Cu(n,2n)62Cu and 65Cu(n,2n)64Cu reactions is less than 10% when compared to experimental results. The computational model is used to calculate the tritium production rate in different lithium zones with various neutron multipliers (U, Pb) and without any multipliers. The results show that the tritium production rate with a uranium multiplier is 86% higher than with a lead multiplier and 238% higher than with no multiplier. The neutron energy spectrum shows a peak in the 0.1 MeV to 10 MeV energy range for every case. This study also examines the effects of fusion neutrons on different isotopes, providing valuable data on how materials behave under high-speed neutron exposure.