Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan

Summary

This presentation outlines the case for Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) as an intermediate approach between Magnetic Fusion Energy (MFE) and Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE). It presents near-term and long-term development roadmaps utilizing existing pulsed power facilities, such as Shiva Star and Atlas, to achieve high-performance fusion at relatively low cost.

Title Slide

G. A. Wurden Fusion Energy Program Office Los Alamos National Laboratory

Jan. 14, 2003

Concept Overview

Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan

• Imagine a fusion concept where: • The plasma beta ranges from 0.5 to 1 • The heart of the device fits on a modest table-top • The plasma density is high >1019 cm-3 • The magnetic field confining the plasma is 500 Tesla ! • The auxiliary heating power level is ~ 1000 Gigawatts ! • The heating is “slow” adiabatic compression • Most of the initial physics research can be conducted with existing facilities and technology • In a reactor, on each pulse the liquid first wall would be completely fresh • The repetition rate is ~0.1 Hertz, so that there is time to clear the chamber from the previous event, and time to insert a new “target”

Pathway and Facilities

Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan

• MTF offers a uniquely different pathway to achieving controlled thermonuclear fusion in the laboratory — Intermediate between MFE and IFE • Presently only funded at the “Concept Exploration” level, it could operate at the “Proof of Principle” level in the very near term on Shiva Star in Albuquerque • With existing pulsed power facilities, (ie, Atlas, which is now at the Nevada Test Site)… it offers the possibility of Performance Extension levels of fusion output (ie, Q~1) within a 5-8 year timeframe, at very modest costs.

Near-Term Program Vision

Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan

Starting next year, we would envision: • A 4-year integrated plasma/liner “physics” experiment to demonstrate implosions of interesting FRC target plasmas on Shiva Star (1-3 MJ driver level). (still CE) • A 4-year multi-experiment CE level-of-effort to study the technology of possible “stand-off” drivers for rep-rating MTF. This could include studies of other candidate target plasmas. • In parallel, a 4-year “Proof of Principle” program resulting in combined modeling and experimental understanding of high performance DD plasmas on Atlas (5-10 MJ driver level).

Long-Term Goals and Technology Challenges

Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan

• Use of DT in experiments to demonstrate batch burn fusion gain of 5-10, if warranted by results from 3). An interesting possibility is that these kinds of experiments could be conducted outdoors at LANL or NTS • Technology development of a “scaled” flowing liquid-wall chamber. Goal of handling 1 Gigajoule yields in a ~ 10 meter diameter vessel (ie, NIF size). • Demonstration of fusion gains in the range of 20-100, using more exotic burn/refueling/compression scenarios. • Development of suitable pulsed power/energy handling technologies with fatigue lifetimes relevant for a reactor (this is really difficult). • Finally, doing it all economically, given the present and future value of a Megajoule of electricity, needs reactor study efforts.

Summary

Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan

In summary: MTF provides an exciting “new” approach to controlled fusion in the laboratory. (The basic idea is only 40 years old, but the integration is new!).

The application of a magnetic field to inhibit heat flow in an inertially compressed (high pressure) target plasma is a very general idea, with many possible implementations, both for targets, and drivers.

Pulsed fusion power generators are not necessarily a bad thing! No materials dpa issues, no first wall surface problem (destroy it on each pulse!), no erosion/redeposition, no divertor…….

Web Pages and References

Magnetized Target Fusion: Input to the 35-yr Fusion Long-Range Electric Plan

• Our web pages are at: http://fusionenergy.lanl.gov and http://wsx.lanl.gov • “Amplification of magnetic fields and heating of plasma by a collapsing metallic shell”, by Linhart, Knoepfel, and Gourlain, Nuclear Fusion, CN-10/11, supl. Pt. 2, 733 (1962). • “Why Magnetized Target Fusion Offers a Low-Cost Development Path for Fusion Energy”, by Siemon, Lindemuth, and Schoenberg, Comments Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion, Vol 18, No. 6, pg 363-386 (1999). • “Scaling Relations for High-Gain Magnetized Target Fusion Systems”, by D. Barnes, Comments Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion, Vol 18, No. 2, pg 71-84 (1997).