PACER revisited
This paper discusses a modified version of the PACER concept for power and nuclear material production. In the PACER concept, a 20-kt peaceful nuclear explosion is contained in a cavity about 200 m in diameter, filled with 200 atom of 500/degree/C steam. Energy from the explosion is used to produce power, and the neutrons are used to produce materials such as STTU. The present idea is to modify the PACER concept in three ways to improve the practicality, predictability, and safety of power production from this technology and thus improve public acceptance of this power source. These improvements are (1) line the cavity with steel; (2) replace the steam with molten salt, LiF + BeF2; and (3) reduce the explosive yield to about 2 kt. PACER is the only fusion power concept where the underlying technology of the power source itself is proven and in hand today. The molten-salt shock-suppression and heat transport system and the durability of the underground cavity need demonstration. 10 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6613382
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-98468-Rev.1; CONF-881031-22-Rev.1; ON: DE89004878
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 8. topical meeting on technology of fusion energy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 9 Oct 1988; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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PACER revisited
A novel fusion power concept based on molten-salt technology; Pacer revisited
Related Subjects
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CAVITIES
DESIGN
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
POWER GENERATION
THERMONUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS
BERYLLIUM FLUORIDES
LITHIUM FLUORIDES
MOLTEN SALTS
NUCLEAR POWER
THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS
EXPLOSIONS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HALIDES
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
POWER
SALTS
SYNTHESIS
450201* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives- Containment
700000 - Fusion Energy