Reactor concepts for laser fusion

Conference · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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