Heavy-ion linear induction accelerators as drivers for inertial fusion power plants
A linear induction accelerator that produces a beam of energetic heavy ions (T -- 10 GeV, A -- 200 amu) is a prime candidate as a driver for an inertial fusion power plant. Some early perceptions were that heavy-ion drive fusion would not be cost-competitive with other power sources because of the high cost of the accelerators. However, improved understanding of the physics of heavy-ion transport and acceleration (supported by experimental results), combined with advances in accelerator technology, have resulted in accelerator design costs -- 50% of previous estimates. As a result, heavy-ion drive fusion power plants are now projected to be cost-competitive with other conceptual fusion power plants. A brief formulation of transport and acceleration physics is presented here, along with a description of the induction Linac cost optimization code LIACEP. Cost trends are presented and discussed, along with specific cost estimates for several accelerator designs matched to specific inertial fusion target yields. Finally, a cost-effective strategy using heavy-ion induction Linacs in a development scenario for inertial fusion is presented.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 6986051
- Journal Information:
- Fusion Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fusion Technol.; (United States) Vol. 13:2; ISSN FUSTE
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Analysis of an induction linac driver system for inertial fusion
Comparison of the design and costs of induction linac drivers for inertial fusion using ions of differing mass
Related Subjects
430100 -- Particle Accelerators-- Design
Development
& Operation
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700203* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Power Supplies
Energy Storage
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990230 -- Mathematics & Mathematical Models-- (1987-1989)
ACCELERATORS
BEAM INJECTION
BEAM TRANSPORT
CHARGED PARTICLES
COMPUTER CODES
CONFINEMENT
COST
DESIGN
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
EQUIPMENT
HEAVY IONS
HEAVY WATER COOLED REACTORS
HEAVY WATER MODERATED REACTORS
HIFAR REACTOR
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
ION BEAM INJECTION
IONS
IRRADIATION REACTORS
ISOTOPE PRODUCTION REACTORS
L CODES
LINEAR ACCELERATORS
MATERIALS TESTING REACTORS
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHYSICS
PLANNING
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
POWER SUPPLIES
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
RESEARCH REACTORS
TANK TYPE REACTORS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TEST REACTORS
TESTING
THERMAL REACTORS