Cryogenic hydrogen fuel for controlled inertial confinement fusion (formation of reactor-scale cryogenic targets)
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genic Hydrogen Fuel for Controlled Inertial Confinement Fusion (Formation of Reactor-Scale Cryogenic Targets) I. V. Aleksandrovaa, E. R. Koreshevaa,b*, O. N. Krokhina,b, and I. E. Osipovc aLebedev
bNational
Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991 Russia Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Moscow, 115409 Russia c Inter RAO UES, Power Efficiency Centre, Moscow, 119435 Russia *e-mail: [email protected] Received June 15, 2015
Abstract—In inertial fusion energy research, considerable attention has recently been focused on low-cost fabrication of a large number of targets by developing a specialized layering module of repeatable operation. The targets must be free-standing, or unmounted. Therefore, the development of a target factory for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) is based on methods that can ensure a cost-effective target production with high repeatability. Minimization of the amount of tritium (i.e., minimization of time and space at all production stages) is a necessary condition as well. Additionally, the cryogenic hydrogen fuel inside the targets must have a structure (ultrafine layers—the grain size should be scaled back to the nanometer range) that supports the fuel layer survivability under target injection and transport through the reactor chamber. To meet the above requirements, significant progress has been made at the Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI) in the technology developed on the basis of rapid fuel layering inside moving free-standing targets (FST), also referred to as the FST layering method. Owing to the research carried out at LPI, unique experience has been gained in the development of the FST-layering module for target fabrication with an ultrafine fuel layer, including a reactor-scale target design. This experience can be used for the development of the next-generation FST-layering module for construction of a prototype of a target factory for power laser facilities and inertial fusion power plants. Keywords: inertial thermonuclear fusion (ITF), FST method, ultrafine structure of cryogenic hydrogen fusion, reactor targets DOI: 10.1134/S1063778816070024
INTRODUCTION An important fact was highlighted in the summary of the Proceedings of the 22nd IAEA Fusion Energy Conference in 2008: a characteristic feature of the inertial confinement fusion research is the development of the scientific and technological base for a high rep-rate target delivery to the focus of a powerful laser facility or a reactor (era of High Rep-Rate) [1]. The effective operation of a reactor requires its fueling with a rate of 1–10 Hz. Hence, an indispensable part of the reactor is the target production facility which must prepare the required array of free-standing targets and transfer them to the fuel injection delivery system. Since the 1980s, the Lebedev Physical Institute (LPI) has been carrying out intensive research in the field of free-standing targets (FSTs). In particular, the FST technique of operation with moving free-standing targets has
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