Control of a laser inertial confinement fusion-fission power plant
Abstract
A laser inertial-confinement fusion-fission energy power plant is described. The fusion-fission hybrid system uses inertial confinement fusion to produce neutrons from a fusion reaction of deuterium and tritium. The fusion neutrons drive a sub-critical blanket of fissile or fertile fuel. A coolant circulated through the fuel extracts heat from the fuel that is used to generate electricity. The inertial confinement fusion reaction can be implemented using central hot spot or fast ignition fusion, and direct or indirect drive. The fusion neutrons result in ultra-deep burn-up of the fuel in the fission blanket, thus enabling the burning of nuclear waste. Fuels include depleted uranium, natural uranium, enriched uranium, spent nuclear fuel, thorium, and weapons grade plutonium. LIFE engines can meet worldwide electricity needs in a safe and sustainable manner, while drastically shrinking the highly undesirable stockpiles of depleted uranium, spent nuclear fuel and excess weapons materials.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1224428
- Patent Number(s):
- 9171646
- Application Number:
- 12/681,165
- Assignee:
- Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21B - FUSION REACTORS
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-07NA27344
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2008 Sep 30
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
Citation Formats
Moses, Edward I., Latkowski, Jeffery F., and Kramer, Kevin J. Control of a laser inertial confinement fusion-fission power plant. United States: N. p., 2015.
Web.
Moses, Edward I., Latkowski, Jeffery F., & Kramer, Kevin J. Control of a laser inertial confinement fusion-fission power plant. United States.
Moses, Edward I., Latkowski, Jeffery F., and Kramer, Kevin J. Tue .
"Control of a laser inertial confinement fusion-fission power plant". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1224428.
@article{osti_1224428,
title = {Control of a laser inertial confinement fusion-fission power plant},
author = {Moses, Edward I. and Latkowski, Jeffery F. and Kramer, Kevin J.},
abstractNote = {A laser inertial-confinement fusion-fission energy power plant is described. The fusion-fission hybrid system uses inertial confinement fusion to produce neutrons from a fusion reaction of deuterium and tritium. The fusion neutrons drive a sub-critical blanket of fissile or fertile fuel. A coolant circulated through the fuel extracts heat from the fuel that is used to generate electricity. The inertial confinement fusion reaction can be implemented using central hot spot or fast ignition fusion, and direct or indirect drive. The fusion neutrons result in ultra-deep burn-up of the fuel in the fission blanket, thus enabling the burning of nuclear waste. Fuels include depleted uranium, natural uranium, enriched uranium, spent nuclear fuel, thorium, and weapons grade plutonium. LIFE engines can meet worldwide electricity needs in a safe and sustainable manner, while drastically shrinking the highly undesirable stockpiles of depleted uranium, spent nuclear fuel and excess weapons materials.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 27 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Tue Oct 27 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}
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