Safety approaches for high power modular laser operation
Approximately 20 years ago, a program was initiated at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to study the feasibility of using lasers to separate isotopes of uranium and other materials. Of particular interest has been the development of a uranium enrichment method for the production of commercial nuclear power reactor fuel to replace current more expensive methods. The Uranium Atomic Vapor Laser Isotope Separation (U-AVLIS) Program has progressed to the point where a plant-scale facility to demonstrate commercial feasibility has been built and is being tested. The U-AVLIS Program uses copper vapor lasers which pump frequency selective dye lasers to photoionize uranium vapor produced by an electron beam. The selectively ionized isotopes are electrostatically collected. The copper lasers are arranged in oscillator/amplifier chains. The current configuration consists of 12 chains, each with a nominal output of 800 W for a system output in excess of 9 kW. The system requirements are for continuous operation (24 h a day, 7 days a week) and high availability. To meet these requirements, the lasers are designed in a modular form allowing for rapid change-out of the lasers requiring maintenance. Since beginning operation in early 1985, the copper lasers have accumulated over 2 million unit hours at a >90% availability. The dye laser system provides approximately 2.5 kW average power in the visible wavelength range. This large-scale laser system has many safety considerations, including high-power laser beams, high voltage, and large quantities ({approximately}3000 gal) of ethanol dye solutions. The Laboratory`s safety policy requires that safety controls be designed into any process, equipment, or apparatus in the form of engineering controls. Administrative controls further reduce the risk to an acceptable level. Selected examples of engineering and administrative controls currently being used in the U-AVLIS Program are described.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 10172011
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-111934; CONF-921233-3; ON: DE93017213; TRN: 93:002317
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International laser safety conference on non-beam hazards,Cincinnati, OH (United States),1-4 Dec 1992; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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The copper-pumped dye laser system at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
The copper-pumped dye laser system at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
LASER ISOTOPE SEPARATION
SAFETY ENGINEERING
MODULAR STRUCTURES
URANIUM
DYE LASERS
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
070500
070100
426002
050500
HEALTH AND SAFETY
PHYSICAL ISOTOPE SEPARATION
LASERS AND MASERS
URANIUM ENRICHMENT