Systems Modeling for a Laser-Driven IFE Power Plant using Direct Conversion

Journal Article · Fri Aug 31 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 112, na, September 1, 2008, pp. 032036

OSTI ID:946952

Meier, W R

A variety of systems analyses have been conducted for laser driver IFE power plants being developed as part of the High Average Power Laser (HAPL) program. A key factor determining the economics attractiveness of the power plant is the net power conversion efficiency which increases with increasing laser efficiency, target gain and fusion-to-electric power conversion efficiency. A possible approach to increasing the power conversion efficiency is direct conversion of ionized target emissions to electricity. One chamber design being considered for HAPL is called the magnetic intervention approach where a cusp magnetic field is used to deflect ions into external dumps, thus protecting the chamber first wall. A possible option with such a design would be to inductively couple the expanding plasma to an external circuit allowing some of the ion energy to be directly converted to electricity. This study examines the potential benefits of increased efficiency achieved with such an approach. Results are evaluated parametrically considering the fraction of fusion energy in ions and the ion-to-electricity conversion efficiency. For base case direct-drive targets with approximately 24% of the target yield in ions, the benefits are modest, especially for chamber designs that operate at high temperature and thus already have relatively high thermal conversion efficiencies. The reduction in the projected cost of electricity is {approx}5-10% assuming the cost of direct conversion is no higher than thermal conversion. Details of the systems model and parametric studies are presented.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 946952
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-234336
• Journal Information: Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 112, na, September 1, 2008, pp. 032036, Journal Name: Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 112, na, September 1, 2008, pp. 032036 Vol. 112
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CUSPED GEOMETRIES
DESIGN
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRICITY
FIRST WALL
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
POWER PLANTS
SIMULATION
TARGETS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS