Inertial-confinement fusion
Reports that larger drivers, projected for the near future, are expected to compress the deuterium-tritium fuel to 1000 times its liquid density and achieve ignition of the fuel pellet. Vast amounts of fusion energy are released from the sun (and other stars) by natural thermonuclear processes that fuse atoms of lighter elements into atoms of heavier elements. In comparison to fission energy, fuel requirements for fusion energy are a factor of 50 less. Another advantage for fusion is that fuel supplies are more easily obtaineddeuterium from sea water and tritium from reactions with lithium. Describes the program being conducted in the US to develop inertial-confinement, as opposed to magnetic-confinement, fusion power. Discusses the physics of fusion. Presents a performance map that summarizes the operating conditions of some reaction chambers and indicates the major physical constraints on yield and background pressure that influence chamber design. The ranges of background pressure required for propagation of ion beams and lasers are also indicated, allowing a choice of viable driver and chamber combinations. Work on inertial fusion at UCLLL was performed under the auspices of the US DOE.
- Research Organization:
- Energy Systems Engineering Division, Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6233038
- Journal Information:
- Mech. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Mech. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 104:10; ISSN MEENA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
700200* -- Fusion Energy-- Fusion Power Plant Technology
CONFINEMENT
DEUTERIUM COMPOUNDS
DEUTERIUM TRITIDES
FUEL PELLETS
FUSION REACTIONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
PELLETS
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
POWER PLANTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
THERMONUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
USA