Engineering concepts for laser-fusion reactor applications
Abstract
The long-range potential goal of the ERDA Laser Fusion Program is the production of commercial electric power. Although the scientific feasibility of significant thermonuclear energy release from laser imploded and heated pellets remains to be demonstrated, significant progress has been made toward this goal and many technological problems associated with ultimate applications of laser fusion are being investigated. Preliminary evaluations of several laser fusion reactor concepts have been made, and detailed studies of the most promising concepts, employing different methods for protecting structural components from damage by the products of fusion-pellet microexplosions, are being done. Engineering design and feasibility studies are also being done of other electric generating station subsystems. Overall economic and technology tradeoff studies are being done to assess the economic potential of various generating station concepts and to provide guidance for research and development programs.
- Publication:
-
Energy 10; Annual Intersociety Energy Conversion and Engineering Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975iece.conf...17B
- Keywords:
-
- Laser Heating;
- Nuclear Reactors;
- Pellets;
- Product Development;
- Electric Power Plants;
- Nuclear Fuels;
- Research And Development;
- Thermonuclear Reactions;
- Tradeoffs;
- Plasma Physics