Home · D–³He vs D–T Fuel
Comparison
D–³He vs D–T: which fusion fuel, and why both?
D–T is the easiest fusion reaction but throws off most of its energy as neutrons. D–³He is harder to ignite but far cleaner. Kronos runs D–T to breed, and D–³He to generate power.
Side by side
Easy and neutron-heavy vs clean and demanding.
Deuterium–Tritium
D–T
- Ignites at the lowest temperature — the standard fusion fuel
- ~80% of its energy comes out as 14 MeV neutrons
- Those neutrons are useful — they breed tritium and helium-3
- Kronos uses D–T in the HYPERION breeder
Kronos
Deuterium–Helium-3
- Primary reaction is neutron-free; needs higher temperature
- Low-neutron: just 5.44% of power as neutrons at the design point — not aneutronic
- Charged products convert straight to electricity — no steam
- Kronos uses D–³He in the generator (Aegis, MetroVolt)
The breeder makes the helium-3; the generator burns it. One fuel cycle, two reactions, closed at home.
Verify it yourself
Open by design.
Conceptual design and simulation study; the integrated Kronos machines are not yet built, and certain results are requirement-class. No financial figures are published on this site.