NIF: IFE applications, waste management and environmental impacts

Conference · Fri Jan 12 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:233328

Lazaro, M A; Kirchner, F R ^[1]; Miley, G H; Petra, M ^[2]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
2. Illinois Univ., Urbana, IL (United States). Fusion Studies Lab.

Although many energy sources have been suggested for the future, inertial confinement fusion (ICF) has been demonstrated as scientifically feasible and deserves support for continued development. The National Ignition Facility (NIF), proposed by US DOE, is a next step in that direction. NIF would use ICF technology to achieve ignition and energy gain that would allow the development and continued support of national security and other civilian applications including inertial fusion energy power plants. NIF would also guarantee US leadership in dense plasma research. Four sites are being considered for NIF: LLNL, Los Alamos, Sandia, and two NTS sites. An environmental evaluation was performed which considered all impacts. This paper provides the results of the waste management analyses conducted on the proposed NIF sites. Overall, the proposed construction and operation of NIF should qualify it as a low-hazard, non-nuclear radiological facility with minor onsite and negligible offsite environmental impacts.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States); Illinois Univ., Urbana, IL (United States). Fusion Studies Lab.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 233328
• Report Number(s): ANL/EA/SUMM--88907; CONF-9606116--25-Summ.; ON: DE96009447
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LASER FUSION REACTORS
LASERS
PROPOSALS