Axisymmetric Magnetic Mirror Fusion-Fission Hybrid

Technical Report · Fri May 13 00:00:00 EDT 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1113523· OSTI ID:1113523

Moir, R. W. ^[1]; Martovetsky, N. N. ^[2]; Molvik, A. W. ^[3]; Ryutov, D. D. ^[1]; Simonen, T. C. ^[4]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
3. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
4. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)

The achieved performance of the gas dynamic trap version of magnetic mirrors and today’s technology we believe are sufficient with modest further efforts for a neutron source for material testing (Q=P_fusion/P_input~0.1). The performance needed for commercial power production requires considerable further advances to achieve the necessary high Q>>10. An early application of the mirror, requiring intermediate performance and intermediate values of Q~1 are the hybrid applications. The Axisymmetric Mirror has a number of attractive features as a driver for a fusion-fission hybrid system: geometrical simplicity, inherently steady-state operation, and the presence of the natural divertors in the form of end tanks. This level of physics performance has the virtue of low risk and only modest R&D needed and its simplicity promises economy advantages. Operation at Q~1 allows for relatively low electron temperatures, in the range of 4 keV, for the DT injection energy ~ 80 keV. A simple mirror with the plasma diameter of 1 m and mirror-to-mirror length of 35 m is discussed. Simple circular superconducting coils are based on today’s technology. The positive ion neutral beams are similar to existing units but designed for steady state. A brief qualitative discussion of three groups of physics issues is presented: axial heat loss, MHD stability in the axisymmetric geometry, microstability of sloshing ions. Burning fission reactor wastes by fissioning actinides (transuranics: Pu, Np, Am, Cm, .. or just minor actinides: Np, Am, Cm, …) in the hybrid will multiply fusion’s energy by a factor of ~10 or more and diminish the Q needed to less than 1 to overcome the cost of recirculating power for good economics. The economic value of destroying actinides by fissioning is rather low based on either the cost of long-term storage or even deep geologic disposal so most of the revenues of hybrids will come from electrical power. Hybrids that obtain revenues from sale of both electricity and production of fissile fuel with fissioning blankets might need Q~1 while suppressing fissioning might be the most economical application of fusion but will require Q≥4.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Contributing Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344
• OSTI ID: 1113523
• Report Number(s): LLNL-TR-484071
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY