Fusion power from fast imploding liners

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:5332284

Krakowski, R A; Moses, R W; Miller, R L; Germwin, R A

An approach to fusion power is described which proposes magnetically driving a thin metal shell at high velocity (approximately 10/sup 4/m/s) onto a warm (200 to 500 eV), dense (10/sup 24/ to 10/sup 25/ m/sup -3/) plasma. A description of the plasma/liner interaction by several analytic and numerical models is given. On the basis of theoretical scaling predictions, the advantages, disadvantages and uncertainties associated with a high-efficiency (recirculating power fraction less than or equal to 0.2) Fast-Liner Reactor (FLR) are described, quantified when possible, and summarized. The FLR approach is characterized by (1) a thin cylindrical nonrotating liner that would be magnetically accelerated by axial currents driven through the liner (no external coils or magnets), (2) axial and radial energy confinement would be provided by an azimuthal magnetic field associated either with axial currents driven through a hard core or through the plasma, (3) the plasma particle pressure would be supported directly by the liner surface and material end plugs, and (4) the liner and a portion of associated support structure would be destroyed at each implosion. A preliminary assessment of the technological implications of blast confinement, materials destruction and loss, energy transfer and storage requirements, and possible modes of FLR operation is presented.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N.Mex. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5332284
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-77-2480; CONF-771056-4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700200* -- Fusion Energy-- Fusion Power Plant Technology
CONFINEMENT
D-T REACTORS
DEUTERIUM COMPOUNDS
DEUTERIUM TRITIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IMPLOSIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LINERS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
SCALING LAWS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS