Axisymmetric Tandem Mirror Magnetic Fusion Energy Power Plant with Thick Liquid-Walls

Conference · Wed Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.13182/FST07-A1522· OSTI ID:897945

Moir, R W; Rognlien, T D

A fusion power plant is described that utilizes a new version of the tandem mirror device including spinning liquid walls. The magnetic configuration is evaluated with an axisymmetric equilibrium code predicting an average beta of 60%. The geometry allows a flowing molten salt, (flibe-Li{sub 2}BeF{sub 4}), which protects the walls and structures from damage arising from neutrons and plasma particles. The free surface between the liquid and the burning plasma is heated by bremsstrahlung radiation, line radiation, and by neutrons. The temperature of the free surface of the liquid is calculated, and then the evaporation rate is estimated from vapor-pressure data. The allowed impurity concentration in the burning plasma is taken as 1% fluorine, which gives a 17% reduction in the fusion power owing to D/T fuel dilution, with F line-radiation causing minor power degradation. The end leakage power density of 0.6 MW/m{sup 2} is readily handled by liquid jets. The tritium breeding is adequate with natural lithium. A number of problem areas are identified that need further study to make the design more self-consistent and workable; however, the simple geometry and the use of liquid walls promise the cost of power competitive with that from fission and coal.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 897945
• Report Number(s): UCRL-CONF-220919; TRN: US200706%%141
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 52; Journal Issue: 3; Conference: Presented at: 17th Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy, Albuquerque, NM, United States, Nov 13 - Nov 15, 2006
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BREEDING
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COAL
CONFIGURATION
DILUTION
EVAPORATION
FISSION
FLUORINE
GEOMETRY
LITHIUM
MOLTEN SALTS
NEUTRONS
POWER DENSITY
POWER PLANTS
TANDEM MIRRORS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TRITIUM
VAPOR PRESSURE