Heavy-ion fusion systems assessment implications for reactors

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Fusion Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6988544

Pendergrass, J H

The requirements, desirable characteristics, trade-offs, and design constraints are discussed for commercial heavy-ion fusion (HIF) reactor plants with induction linear accelerator (Linac) drivers. The trade-offs and the design constraints when the reactor plant requirements and desirable characteristics conflict with those for other HIF power plant systems are described. The reactor plant concepts included in the Heavy-Ion Fusion Systems Assessment (HIFSA) are discussed in relation to these requirements, characteristics, trade-offs, and constraints. Four reactor plant concepts were included in the HIFSA studies to provide large ranges of reactor repetition rate and target yield accommodation (1 to 20 Hz and 150 to 3000 MJ). This permitted thorough exploration of the impact of HIF cost of electricity (COE) of the high repetition rate and efficiency advantages of induction Linacs. Contrary to pre-HIFSA expectations, large plants with large driver repetition rates and multiple reactors are not required for attractive COE: Repetition rates <10 Hz in 1000-MW(electric) one-reactor plants are competitive. More than one HIF reactor plant concept shows promise: The minimum COE estimates for the four concepts in 1000-MW(electric) plants range from 55 to 75 mill/kW . h. cost and/or technological problems in one part of reactor operating parameter space need not be fatal for HIF: The estimated COE is within 5% of the minimum over wide ranges of the repetition rate and the target yield for a fixed plant size and reactor concept.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM (US)
• OSTI ID: 6988544
• Journal Information: Fusion Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fusion Technol.; (United States) Vol. 13:2; ISSN FUSTE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
430303 -- Particle Accelerators-- Experimental Facilities &amp; Equipment
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ACCELERATOR FACILITIES
ACCELERATORS
CONSTRAINTS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EVALUATION
HEAVY ION FUSION REACTIONS
IMPACT FUSION DRIVERS
LINEAR ACCELERATORS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
TARGET CHAMBERS