An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy (2013) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 12-28
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From page 12... ...
. The two main approaches to fusion achieve these conditions differently: In magnetic confinement fusion, the low-density fuel is held indefinitely in a magnetic field while it reacts; in inertial confinement fusion (ICF)
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From page 13... ...
Conclusion 1-1: The potential benefits of energy from inertial confinement fusion (abundant fuel, minimal greenhouse gas emissions, and limited high level radioactive waste requiring long-term disposal) also provide a com pelling rationale for including inertial fusion energy R&D as part of the long-term R&D portfolio for U.S.
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From page 14... ...
They recommend specific experiments to validate models and codes, and to improve basic understanding of the complex physics phenomena occurring in a laser-driven implosion. In their most recent review, on May 31, 2012, a team appointed by the NNSA also concluded that "better understanding through detailed measurements and model adjustments informed by rigorous quantifications of uncertainties are needed both to better approach the ignition process and to benefit the stockpile stewardship program."4 Another review panel, the NIC Technical Review Committee, concluded that "the NIF is operating in a stable, reli able, predictable, and controllable manner" and that "there is sufficient body of knowledge regarding nuclear fusion and plasma physics to conclude that it should be possible to achieve controlled thermonuclear fusion on a laboratory scale."5 NNSA recently released a report that lays out a 3-year plan for NNSA's ICF program, stating that "the emphasis going forward will be to illuminate the physics and to improve models and codes used in the ICF program until agreement with experimental data is achieved.
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Betti, 2012, "Theory of Ignition and Hydroequivalence for Inertial Confinement Fusion, Overview Presentation," OV5-3, 24th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, October 7-12, San Diego, Calif. 9 NIC Technical Review Committee, "The National Ignition Campaign Technical Review Committee Report, For the Meeting Held on May 30 through June 1, 2012." 10 Ibid.
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From page 16... ...
An IFE power plant must do much more than simply ignite a high-gain tar get. Commercial power production requires many integrated systems, each with technological challenges.
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From page 17... ...
a steam plant to convert fusion heat into electricity.4 A key goal for exploring the engineering feasibility of IFE will be to achieve reproducible gain at the required repetition rate. OVERALL POWER PLANT EFFICIENCY Although target gain can be used to validate the target physics, a new parameter is required for assessing the viability of a fusion energy system.
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This energy must be delivered with an electrical efficiency ηD of around 10 percent or more. Four main systems are being studied as potential drivers of inertial fusion plants: diode-pumped, solid state lasers (DPSSLs)
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It is estimated that the fraction of the cost of electricity from an IFE power plant that the manufacturing of targets contributes will range from about 6 percent for the relatively simpler direct-drive laser targets to more than 30 percent for the more complex indirect-drive laser targets, with heavy-ion fusion and pulsed-power targets falling between these two.6,7,8 IFE target masses are small (usually less than 1 g) and the cost of materials is minimal unless gold or other expensive elements are used.
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SOURCE: DOE, Fusion Energy ciences Committee, "Summary of Opportunities in the Fusion Energy Sciences S P rogram, June 1999." Available at http://tinyurl.com/c4yvffw. Some of the physics processes involved in ICF for energy applications have parallels with the processes that take place inside thermonuclear weapons, and for this reason most of the research into ICF in the United States has been funded by weapons programs.
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The tritium must also be collected for use in new capsules. Making a reliable, long-lived chamber is challenging since the charged particles, target debris, and X-rays will erode the wall surface and the neutrons will embrittle and weaken the solid materials.
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From page 22... ...
Meier, 2006, Systems modeling for Z-IFE power plants, Fusion Engineering and Design 81: 1661; W.R. Meier, 1994, Osiris and SOMBRERO inertial fusion power plant designs -- Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations, Fusion Engineering and Design 25: 145-157; L.M.
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From page 23... ...
funds at NNSA laboratories -- for example, Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (LIFE) and pulsed power approaches -- direct funding through the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences -- for example, heavy ion fusion, fast ignition, and magnetized target fusion -- and congressionally mandated funding.
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(C) The Z Pulsed Power Facility at SNL.
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Introduction 25 (D) The NIKE laser target chamber at the NRL.
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Macchi, and F Pegoraro, 2005, Fluid and kinetic simulation of inertial confinement fusion plasmas, Proceedings of the Europhysics Conference on Computational Physics 2004 169: 153-159.
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From page 27... ...
The statement of task for the study is as follows: The Committee will prepare a report that will: • Assess the prospects for generating power using inertial confinement fusion; • Identify scientific and engineering challenges, cost targets, and R&D objectives associ ated with developing an IFE demonstration plant; and • Advise the U.S. Department of Energy on its development of an R&D roadmap aimed at creating a conceptual design for an inertial fusion energy demonstration plant.
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From page 28... ...
STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT Chapter 2 describes the status of the main approaches to driving the implo sion of IFE targets as well as specific challenges that must be met in the near term, medium term, and far term to make the various drivers suitable for use in com mercial IFE plants. The status and R&D challenges of the targets themselves, as well as those of the other components of an IFE plant, are discussed in Chapter 3, which also includes a discussion of economic considerations associated with the commercialization of IFE.
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