Lester M. Waganer

An Induction Linac Driven Heavy-Ion Fusion Systems Model

A computerized systems model of a heavy-ion fusion (HIF) reactor power plant is presented. The model can be used to analyze the behavior and projected costs of a commercial power plant using an induction linear accelerator (Linac) as a driver. Each major component of the model (targets, reactor cavity, Linac, beam transport, power flow, balance of plant, and costing) is discussed. Various target, reactor cavity, Linac, and beam transport schemes are examined and compared. The preferred operating regime for such a power plant is also examined. The results show that HIF power plants can compete with other advanced energy concepts at the 1000-MW (electric) power level (cost of electricity (COE) -- 50 mill/kW . h) provided that the cost savings predicted for Linacs using higher charge-state ions (+3) can be realized.

Future Developments and Applications of KrF Laser-Fusion Systems

The development of KrF lasers has proceeded from the small lasers invented in 1975 to the 10-kJ large amplifier module at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The future KrF laser-fusion drivers required for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) development and commercial applications, starting with single-main-amplifier laser systems in the 100- to 300-kJ range, through multimegajoule single-pulse target demonstration facilities, to repetitively pulsed drivers for electric power plants are examined. Two different types of KrF lasers are currently being analyzed as potential laser-fusion drivers: large electron-beam (e-beam)-pumped amplifiers using pure optical multiplexing for pulse compression and small e-beam sustained discharge lasers using a hybrid pulse compression technique. Both types of KrF lasers appear able to satisfy all of the requirements for commercial-applications ICF drivers, including cost, efficiency, pulse shaping, energy scaling, repetition rate, reliability, and target coupling. The KrF drive...

Conceptual design of a large E-beam-pumped KrF laser for ICF commercial applications

Two types of KrF lasers appear attractive as a driver for an ICF electric power plant. The original concept uses large electron-beam-pumped amplifiers and pure angular multiplexing to deliver short, shaped pulses to the target. A recently conceived alternate concept uses many small, long-pulse e-beam sustained discharge lasers which transfer their energy through the forward Raman process to a multiplexed set of beams to deliver the energy to target. Preliminary comparisons of the two systems indicate that the original concept has both a lower cost and a lower system efficiency, and both concepts appear to be nearly equally attractive as an ICF driver for an electric power plant. This paper examines a 4.8 MJ, 5 Hz KrF laser system designed using the original concept. The laser uses 24 main amplifiers arranged in eight sets of three amplifiers each. This layout optimizes both the optical system and the gas flow system, and uses a simple target illumination scheme that provides neutron shielding to allow hands-on maintenance in the laser hall.

A systems performance and cost model for heavy ion fusion

As a part of the US Dept. of Energy-sponsored Heavy Ion Fusion Systems Assessment Project, a systems and costing computer model has been developed to examine the behavior of a linear induction accelerator-driven (linac) HIF power plant. The main purpose of this code is to examine different system and subsystem options as well as a large range of parameter space in which an HIF power plant might operate. The ultimate goals include the identification of: (a) desirable operating regimes, (b) preferred system and subsystem options, (c) systems with major cost impacts, and (d) systems where appropriate R and D or technological breakthroughs could yield significant economic benefits.

Influence of system optimization considerations on LIA drivers

The value of a systems and cost model lies in its capability to quickly evaluate plant cost and performance for various system/subsystem options an thus to assess the effect of potential design innovations and tradeoffs on the overall cost of electricity (COE). We have developed a Linear‐Induction Accelerator driven Heavy‐ion Fusion (LIA‐HIF) Inertial Confinement Systems and Costing Model (ICCOMO) as part of the Heavy‐ion Fusion Systems Assessment Project (HIFSA). This code has been used to evaluate various combinations of driver, cavity, and target design alternatives in conjunction with one another to determine the cost‐sensitivity of different system options and to identify the most promising designs. The most significant results of these studies, to data, is the overall broadeness of the optimum region of parameter space. Changes in the performance of one system can generally be compensated for by another system, resulting in a minimal change in the final COE. This paper discusses the tradeoffs leadin...

Survey of system options for heavy ion fusion

Several potentially attractive system options have been identified for use in a linear induction‐driven heavy‐ion fusion reactor power plant. These include higher charge‐state ions, double‐pulsed accelerators, a range of ion species, different target types, innovative cavity approaches and various illumination schemes. Data from the U.S. DOE Heavy‐Ion Fusion (HIF) Systems Assessment (HIFSA) Project were integrated into a unified, comprehensive system performance and cost code for a commercial HIF power plant. This code surveyed the above hardware options over the design parameter spaces of multiple accelerator beams, target gain curve parameter (r3/2R or r/R) gain, repetition rate, ion voltage, beam energy and net electric power output. The results indicate that a 1000 MWe, linac‐driven, HIF power plant can produce electricity on a competitive basis. An innovative triple‐charged heavy ion accelerator design is used that greatly reduces the cost (and length) of the accelerator while increasing the efficien...

Performance and cost modeling of a linac‐driven HIF power plant

A versatile and powerful systems analysis code has been written to assess the attractiveness of proposed induction linac‐driven heavy‐ion fusion (LIA‐HIF) system options and aid in the assessment of R&D needs. This code was created as a part of the DOE‐Sponsored Heavy‐Ion Fusion Systems Assessment Project (HIFSA). The code is structured to enable investigation of a large and continuously variable design and operating parameter space. This was possible by modeling the systems with continuous algorithms which define all the necessary interface and system parameters. The code calculates and displays descriptive design, performance, and operational parameters along with the capital costs, annual costs, and cost of electricity. An overview of the code architecture is provided along with a discussion of its application and results.