Reactor concepts for laser fusion

Conference · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:5232953

Meier, W R; Maniscalco, J A

Scoping studies were initiated to identify attractive reactor concepts for producing electric power with laser fusion. Several exploratory reactor concepts were developed and are being subjected to our criteria for comparing long-range sources of electrical energy: abundance, social costs, technical feasibility, and economic competitiveness. The exploratory concepts include: a liquid-lithium-cooled stainless steel manifold, a gas-cooled graphite manifold, and fluidized wall concepts, such as a liquid lithium ''waterfall'', and a ceramic-lithium pellet ''waterfall''. Two of the major reactor vessel problems affecting the technical feasibility of a laser fusion power plant are: the effects of high-energy neutrons and cyclical stresses on the blanket structure and the effects of x-rays and debris from the fusion microexplosion on the first-wall. The liquid lithium ''waterfall'' concept is presented here in more detail as an approach which effectively deals with these damaging effects.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5232953
• Report Number(s): UCRL-79654; CONF-771102-11; TRN: 78-005056
• Resource Relation: Conference: 20. annual AICHE meeting, New York, NY, USA, 13 Nov 1977
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
LASER FUSION REACTORS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
CONTAINERS
COOLING SYSTEMS
ECONOMICS
FIRST WALL
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
STAINLESS STEELS
ALLOYS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
PLASMA
STEELS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR WALLS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
700208* - Fusion Power Plant Technology- Inertial Confinement Technology