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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

NIF: IFE applications, waste management and environmental impacts

Conference ·
OSTI ID:233328
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  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