The calculation of the kinetic rate constants for LiF and BeF{sub 2}
In the HYLIFE inertial confinement fusion reactor occurs in pulses several times every second. X-rays ablate material from the molten LiF-BeF{sub 2} salt (Flibe) jets used to protect the reactor vessel, generating a hot dissociated partially ionized vapor. Further evaporation occurs as the vapor radiates to the jets. Eventually the vapor must be condensed to restore sufficient vacuum for the next shot. Rate of condensation determines the permissible fusion repetition rate. Analysis here shows that recombination will be fast making it possible to assume quasi-equilibrium in vapor phase. Scaling shows that convective transport in the reactor dominates over diffusive transport over length scales the order of salt droplet diameters, and thus no significant separation or concentration of species will occur, except in very thin (micron scale) layers next to condensing surfaces. Without diffusion, the local stoichiometry of the mixture will remain fixed at the initial composition of 33%BeF{sub 2} and 67%LiF, with traces of tritium, helium, and other species. The gas dynamics in the reactor cavity depend upon the equation of state of gaseous Flibe. Because the chemical kinetics are fast, and the stoichiometry is fixed, a single relationship between pressure, temperature, and specific volume can be used to describe the state of the vapor phase, even at high temperatures where dissociation and ionization occur.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States); California Univ., Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 10139071
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-CR-109548; UCB-NE-4187; CONF-920607-23; ON: DE93009321
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 10. topical meeting on technology of fusion energy,Boston, MA (United States),7-12 Jun 1992; Other Information: PBD: 10 Mar 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Modeling LiF and FLiBe Molten Salts with Robust Neural Network Interatomic Potential
Equilibrium Pressures over BeF{sub 2}/LiF(Flibe) Molten Mixtures
Related Subjects
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
HYLIFE CONVERTER
BREEDING BLANKETS
LITHIUM FLUORIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BERYLLIUM FLUORIDES
FLIBE
DISSOCIATION
RECOMBINATION
EVAPORATION
IONIZATION
700411
400201
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT DEVICES
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES