title: Deep-Earth reactor: nuclear fission, helium, and the geomagnetic field.
abstract: Geomagnetic field reversals and changes in intensity are understandable from an energy standpoint as natural consequences of intermittent and/or variable nuclear fission chain reactions deep within the Earth. Moreover, deep-Earth production of helium, having (3)He/(4)He ratios within the range observed from deep-mantle sources, is demonstrated to be a consequence of nuclear fission. Numerical simulations of a planetary-scale geo-reactor were made by using the SCALE sequence of codes. The results clearly demonstrate that such a geo-reactor (i) would function as a fast-neutron fuel breeder reactor; (ii) could, under appropriate conditions, operate over the entire period of geologic time; and (iii) would function in such a manner as to yield variable and/or intermittent output power.
authors.affiliation: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6370, USA. hoeelnbachdf@ornl.gov
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Hollenbach
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Herndon
mesh_terms: D018534:Earth, Planet; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D005844:Geology; D006371:Helium; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008280:Magnetics; D009680:Nuclear Fission; D011868:Radioisotopes; D013995:Time
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D006371:Helium