Laser or charged-particle-beam fusion reactor with direct electric generation by magnetic flux compression

Patent · Fri Feb 20 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:7029330

Lasche, G P

A high-power-density-laser or charged-particle-beam fusion reactor system maximizes the directed kinetic energy imparted to a large mass of liquid lithium by a centrally located fusion target. A fusion target is embedded in a large mass of lithium, of sufficient radius to act as a tritium breeding blanket, and provided with ports for the access of beam energy to implode the target. The directed kinetic energy is converted directly to electricity with high efficiency by work done against a pulsed magnetic field applied exterior to the lithium. Because the system maximizes the blanket thickness per unit volume of lithium, neutron-induced radioactivities in the reaction chamber wall are several orders of magnitude less than is typical of other fusion reactor systems. 25 figs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: LLNL; EDB-88-182054
• Patent Number(s): PATENTS-US-A6016903
• OSTI ID: 7029330
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ACCELERATORS
ALKALI METALS
BREEDING BLANKETS
CONVERSION
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
INVENTIONS
LASER FUSION REACTORS
LITHIUM
MAGNETIC FIELDS
METALS
PARTICLE BEAM FUSION ACCELERATOR
REACTOR COMPONENTS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS