ATHENSATHENS, , NovemberNovember 20, 20, 20 201313, , PraguePrague, , Czech RepublicCzech Republic

MMilanilan Kalal KalalFFaculty of aculty of NNuclear uclear SSciences and ciences and PPhysical Engineeringhysical Engineering

Czech Technical UniversityCzech Technical University in Prague in Prague

115115 19 Prague19 Prague 1 1,, C Czech Republiczech Republic

Inertial Confinement Fusion Inertial Confinement Fusion and and

Thermonuclear ReactorsThermonuclear Reactors

Under current estimates the Under current estimates the oiloil reserves will run out after reserves will run out after 40 40 yearsyears, , natural gasnatural gas after after 60 years60 years and and coal coal could last for could last for two two more centuriesmore centuries. .

Although energy provided by various renewable sources, Although energy provided by various renewable sources, such as such as water power plantswater power plants, , solar power plantssolar power plants, , windwind, , geothermal energygeothermal energy etc. will undoubtedly play important niche etc. will undoubtedly play important niche roles at the beginning of this century, they will not be able to roles at the beginning of this century, they will not be able to sustain the central baseload demands of future society.sustain the central baseload demands of future society. Presently, there are only Presently, there are only two key playerstwo key players which need to be which need to be dealt with and relied upon to solve the problem: dealt with and relied upon to solve the problem: fissionfission and and fusionfusion. .

Background Situation AnalysisBackground Situation Analysis

Both Both fissionfission and and fusionfusionare forms of are forms of nuclear energynuclear energy..

However, they can be differentiatedHowever, they can be differentiatedby by various attributesvarious attributes, including their:, including their:

•capital costscapital costs•safetysafety•environmental impactenvironmental impact•proliferation problemsproliferation problems•fuel availabilityfuel availability

Fission or Fusion ?Fission or Fusion ?

Nuclear Energy AvailabilityNuclear Energy Availability

If the presently known reserves of If the presently known reserves of fissionfission fuels were used to fuels were used to sustain the sustain the full electrical energy needsfull electrical energy needs of future populations, of future populations, these fuels would probablythese fuels would probably not not last for more than about last for more than about 100 100 yearsyears using using conventional conventional thermal reactors with a thermal reactors with a once-throughonce-through fuel cycle. fuel cycle.

However, such reserves could be made to last for However, such reserves could be made to last for thousands of thousands of yearsyears if they were efficiently used in if they were efficiently used in breeder breeder reactors with a reactors with a reprocessed-fuel reprocessed-fuel cycle. cycle.

Uranium Uranium could also, in principle, be extracted from could also, in principle, be extracted from sea watersea water, , although we do not yet have the technology to achieve this.although we do not yet have the technology to achieve this.

Fission AssessmentFission Assessment

Electrical power generation in the Electrical power generation in the 21st century21st century will be an will be an industry worth industry worth tens of trillions of dollarstens of trillions of dollars, and there will be an , and there will be an assured and significant growth in demand from the developing assured and significant growth in demand from the developing world. world.

The question really is whether we will have a The question really is whether we will have a fusion-reactor fusion-reactor productproduct that will be sufficiently that will be sufficiently attractive attractive to compete in this to compete in this marketplace?marketplace?

If we do, then If we do, then fusion fusion will bewill be neededneeded. .

Even more so should we take into account the Even more so should we take into account the climate changeclimate change caused by heating of the planet due to an increase of the caused by heating of the planet due to an increase of the COCO22 in in

the atmosphere from burning the atmosphere from burning fossile fuelsfossile fuels..

Any Need for Fusion Energy?Any Need for Fusion Energy?

This challenge must be resolved and solved today…Not 50 years from now

The First Generation Fusion ReactionThe First Generation Fusion Reaction

Fusion AssessmentFusion Assessment

TTii ≈ 2 × 10 ≈ 2 × 1088 K K

n n EE ≥ 0.5 × 10 ≥ 0.5 × 10 20 20 m m -3-3ss

Example:Example:- Reactor Chamber diameter - Reactor Chamber diameter 10 m10 m- Typical energy- Typical energy released released 340 MJ340 MJ (equivalent of (equivalent of 75 kg75 kg TNT) TNT)- This is contained in - This is contained in 1 mg1 mg of D-T fuel of D-T fuel- Energetic Amplification - Energetic Amplification ((gaingain) ) QQ::

For For 17.6 MeV17.6 MeV energy released and energy released and 30 keV30 keV (up to 60 million K) used (up to 60 million K) used for heating for heating Q = 580Q = 580..

Notes:Notes:

1 eV = 1.60221 eV = 1.6022 × 1010 - -19 19 joules; joules; Average particle thermal kinetic energy is 1 eV per 11,600 K. Average particle thermal kinetic energy is 1 eV per 11,600 K.

Lawson CriterionLawson Criterion

LithiumLithium - the primary fuel for - the primary fuel for first-generationfirst-generation deuterium-deuterium-tritiumtritium fusion reactors is significantly more abundant in the fusion reactors is significantly more abundant in the Earth's crust than either of the primary fission fuels, Earth's crust than either of the primary fission fuels, uranium uranium or or thoriumthorium. .

Lithium is also about Lithium is also about 50 times50 times more abundant than uranium in more abundant than uranium in sea watersea water. And . And deuteriumdeuterium, which is arguably the , which is arguably the ultimate ultimate fusion fuelfusion fuel for for second-generationsecond-generation deuterium-deuteriumdeuterium-deuterium fusion, comprises fusion, comprises 0.015%0.015% of all of the of all of the hydrogenhydrogen on Earth by on Earth by atomic ratio. atomic ratio.

Thus, (Thus, (deuteriumdeuterium) fusion is a fuel reserve that will be available ) fusion is a fuel reserve that will be available to us for to us for as long as the Earth existsas long as the Earth exists..

Fusion AssessmentFusion Assessment

The stored energy in the fuel of a The stored energy in the fuel of a fission fission core is sufficient for core is sufficient for about about two yearstwo years of operation.of operation.

So although So although adequately safe fission reactorsadequately safe fission reactors probably can be probably can be designed, this stored energy coulddesigned, this stored energy could, in, in principle principle,, trigger severe trigger severe accidentsaccidents. .

In contrast, the amount of fuel in the core of a In contrast, the amount of fuel in the core of a fusionfusion reactor - reactor - of whatever class that we can conceive of today - is sufficient, of whatever class that we can conceive of today - is sufficient, at most, for only a at most, for only a few secondsfew seconds of operation. The fuel would of operation. The fuel would also be also be continually replenishedcontinually replenished..

Comparison of Safety of Comparison of Safety of Fusion and Fission PowerFusion and Fission Power

The other The other disadvantagedisadvantage of of fissionfission is that spent fuel rods in a is that spent fuel rods in a fission core contain fission core contain gigaCuries of radioactivitygigaCuries of radioactivity in the form of in the form of fission products and actinides, some with half-lives of fission products and actinides, some with half-lives of hundreds or even millions of yearshundreds or even millions of years. .

Such radionuclides therefore have to be disposed of into Such radionuclides therefore have to be disposed of into securely guarded repositories deep undergroundsecurely guarded repositories deep underground..

In contrast, the main potential for generating In contrast, the main potential for generating radioactive wasteradioactive waste from from fusionfusion comes from comes from neutron activationneutron activation of the of the structural structural materialsmaterials that surround the reactor. that surround the reactor.

A judicious choice of these materials canA judicious choice of these materials can reduce reduce fusion's fusion's potential biological hazard potential biological hazard by many orders of magnitudeby many orders of magnitude relative to spent fission fuel. Indeed, such materials relative to spent fission fuel. Indeed, such materials would notwould not need to be disposed of in a long-term waste repository.need to be disposed of in a long-term waste repository.

Perhaps Perhaps most importantlymost importantly, we must recognize that the , we must recognize that the exploitation of exploitation of breeder breeder reactors to extend the reactors to extend the fissionfission fuel fuel reserves of reserves of uraniumuranium and/or and/or thorium thorium beyond this centurybeyond this century will will result in result in significant reprocessing trafficsignificant reprocessing traffic of of 239239PuPu and/or and/or 233233UU. .

Although Although international safeguardsinternational safeguards and and securitysecurity could no could no doubt be implemented, the diversion and exploitation of even doubt be implemented, the diversion and exploitation of even a a few kilogramsfew kilograms of these materials would be a severe test of of these materials would be a severe test of the public's stamina for this energy source.the public's stamina for this energy source.

Therefore:Therefore:

!!! Let’s go Fusion !!!!!! Let’s go Fusion !!!

Plasmaself-heating

Tritiumreplenishment

Li

Electricity,Hydrogen

Fusion process as a source of energyFusion process as a source of energy

Fusion power plant: Electricity generationFusion power plant: Electricity generation

TritiumBreedingBlanket

ConventionalGenerator

Conventional Turbine

ElectricPower Grid

Deuterium fuel Tritiumfuel

FusionPlasma

Heat Exchanger

Fusion Power Core

There are two major approaches:There are two major approaches:

1.1. Magnetic Fusion Energy (MFE)Magnetic Fusion Energy (MFE)(Tokamaks, Stellarators etc.)

2.2. Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE)Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE)(High Power Lasers, Heavy-Ion Accelerators and Z-Pinch Drivers)

Which Way to Go?Which Way to Go?

MAGNETIC MAGNETIC CONFINEMENTCONFINEMENT

MFE (Tokamak)MFE (Tokamak)

• Low density: ~1012 cm–3 , t >100s• Ultra high vacuum chamber necessary ~ 10-11 Torr• Whole in One System • Life time of the whole system ~ 1year…

International Thermonuclear International Thermonuclear Experimental ReactorExperimental Reactor (ITER)ITER)

Divertor54 cassettes

Central SolenoidNb3Sn, 6 modules

Outer Intercoil Structure

Toroidal Field CoilNb3Sn, 18, wedged

Poloidal Field CoilNb-Ti, 6

Machine Gravity Supports

Blanket Module421 modules

Vacuum Vessel9 sectors

Cryostat, 24 m high x 28 m dia.

Port Plug (IC Heating)6 heating3 test blankets2 limiters/RHdiagnosticsTorus Cryopump8

Ports for ECH&CD

ITERITER

However !!!However !!!

It is not clearIt is not clear that the conventional that the conventional tokamaktokamak approach will lead to a practicable commercial approach will lead to a practicable commercial power plant that anyone will be interested in power plant that anyone will be interested in buying. buying.

This is a consequence of its projected:This is a consequence of its projected:

• low power densitylow power density • high capital costhigh capital cost • high complexityhigh complexity • expensive development pathexpensive development path

INERTIAL INERTIAL CONFINEMENTCONFINEMENT

Scheme of the Scheme of the LLFEFE

DIRECT DIRECT DRIVEDRIVE

Direct drive targetDirect drive target

~1mm

INDIRECT INDIRECT DRIVEDRIVE

Indirect drive targetIndirect drive targetGold hohlraum

laser laser

5mm

X-ray

IFE targetsIFE targets

Cone shell target

PW laser for heating 1.053µm

GEKKO XII for implosion 9 beams 0.53µm 1.2 kJ / 1ns

Au Cone Plastic shell

Indirect drive target (Hohlraum ~5mm size)

Direct drive target

~1mm size

LFE (Laser Fusion Energy)LFE (Laser Fusion Energy)

• High density: 1024 cm-3 (~100 atm) t >10-10s• Low vacuum ~10-5 Torr necessary• Modular system; laser and target chamber are SEPARATEDSEPARATED• Small target size (~4 mm); negligible radioactivity• Long lifetime of the target chamber ~ 30 years

Example of the Large NumberExample of the Large NumberLaser Beam Irradiating SystemLaser Beam Irradiating System

Overview of FIREX-II

Heating laser 50 kJ Pulse width 10 ps

Implosion laser 50 kJ

FIREX (Fast Ignition Realization Experiment)

Purpose: Establishment of fast ignition physics and ignition demonstration

Starting Conditions : high denisity compression(already achieved),

　 : heating by PW laser (1keV already achieved ）

Palace of Nations at the United Nations Office of Geneva (UNOGPalace of Nations at the United Nations Office of Geneva (UNOG))

Example of Example of thethe IFE Reactor IFE Reactor

10

100

1k

10k

100k

1M

10M

1970 1980 1990 2010 2020Year

2030

100

100k

1k

1M

10k

10M

100M

Janus

Cyclops

Argus

Shiva

Omega

Nova Omega Up-grade

NIF

1.05m

0.53m

0.35m

LMJ

Venus

KOYO Helios

ILE LLNL

Mercury

HALNA 100

HALNA 10

Terra

Ignition Burn Facility

Gekko IIGekko IV

Gekko MII

Gekko XII

KONGOH

Reactor Driver

EPOC

ICF Research IFE development

2040

HALNA 1k

2000

HALNA 10k

1

Yb:S-FAPoscillator

10

DPSSL

High Rep. rateHigh Efficiency

A A 100 ton100 ton of of coalcoal hopper runs a hopper runs a 1 GW Power Plant1 GW Power Plant for for 10 minutes10 minutes.. Same filled with Same filled with IFE targetsIFE targets runs a runs a 1 GW Power Plant1 GW Power Plant for for 7 years7 years..

This is what we would really like…This is what we would really like…

AlternativeAlternative physics approaches are particularly important if physics approaches are particularly important if we are ever to exploit the so-called we are ever to exploit the so-called advanced advanced fusion fuels, such fusion fuels, such as as D-DD-D, , D-D-33He He and and p-p-1111BB::

D + D → T (1 MeV) + p (3 MeV)D + D → T (1 MeV) + p (3 MeV)

D + D + 33He → He → 44He + p + 18.3 MeVHe + p + 18.3 MeV

p + p + 1111B → 3 B → 3 44He + 8.7 MeVHe + 8.7 MeV

Such fuels suggest several Such fuels suggest several advantagesadvantages over over conventionalconventional deuterium-tritiumdeuterium-tritium reactions. For example, they produce reactions. For example, they produce fewfew or or even even no no neutrons, and they could even neutrons, and they could even directly convertdirectly convert charged fusion products into charged fusion products into electricityelectricity without the need for a without the need for a conventional thermal cycleconventional thermal cycle. However, such fuels would require . However, such fuels would require significantly highersignificantly higher plasma plasma densitiesdensities and and temperaturestemperatures to to realize the same fusion power density as deuterium-tritium realize the same fusion power density as deuterium-tritium plasmas.plasmas.

Outlook into the IFE Future Outlook into the IFE Future

ChallengesChallenges to be resolvedto be resolved in inIFE developmentIFE development

In order to keep an appropriate In order to keep an appropriate IFEIFE power plantpower plant going goingwe must shoot about we must shoot about cryogenic cryogenic targets at a rate of up to targets at a rate of up to 10 Hz10 Hz ((101088 each yeareach year) in a ) in a target chambertarget chamber operating at operating at500 - 1500°C500 - 1500°C, possibly with , possibly with liquid wallsliquid walls..

The only way to do this will be to The only way to do this will be to inject the targetsinject the targets into the into the target chamber attarget chamber at high speedhigh speed, , tracktrack them and them and hithit them them on the on the flyfly with the with the driverdriver beams. beams.

This must be done with This must be done with high precisionhigh precision (~±200 µm(~±200 µm [ [20 µm20 µm for for direct drive] at 10 m), direct drive] at 10 m), high reliabilityhigh reliability of delivery and of delivery and without without damagingdamaging the mechanically and thermally fragile the mechanically and thermally fragile targetstargets. .

This challenge appears to be achievable, but will require a This challenge appears to be achievable, but will require a serious - and successful - development program. serious - and successful - development program. International International cooperationcooperation on the largest possible scale would therefore be on the largest possible scale would therefore be very desirable.very desirable.

• CoordinatingCoordinating complementary experts related to IFE power plant design

• AvoidingAvoiding duplication of effort

• SpeedingSpeeding progress by sharing knowledge, manpower and costs

• AttractingAttracting the attention of and inviting inviting experts of other fields who are interested in IFE power plant development

Steps taken by IAEASteps taken by IAEAProgress can be done byProgress can be done by::

INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCYATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY Division of Physical and Chemical SciencesDivision of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Physics SectionPhysics Section

                    

First Research Coordination MeetingFirst Research Coordination Meeting of theof the

Coordinated Research ProgrammeCoordinated Research Programmeonon

Elements of Power Plant DesignElements of Power Plant Design for Inertial Fusion Energyfor Inertial Fusion Energy

21-24 May 200121-24 May 2001, V, Vienna, Austriaienna, Austria

• Assess the statusstatus of Inertial Fusion EnergyInertial Fusion Energy

• Identify and contribute to the resolution of issues

particularly related to the interfaces between the driversdrivers, targetstargets and chamberschambers:

1) Driver / Target1) Driver / Target

2) 2) Driver Driver / Chamber/ Chamber

3) Chamber / Target3) Chamber / Target

• Identify and promote areas of possible collaborationspossible collaborations between the countries and institutions participating in the CRP

The Main Goal of CRPThe Main Goal of CRP

1100 countries countries including:

Czech Republic (1)Czech Republic (1)Hungary (1)Hungary (1)India (1)India (1)Japan (2)Japan (2)Rep. of Korea (1)Rep. of Korea (1)Poland (1)Poland (1)Russia (Russia (44))Spain (Spain (22))USA (USA (22))Uzbekistan (1)Uzbekistan (1)

ParticipantsParticipants

INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCYATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY Division of Physical and Chemical SciencesDivision of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Physics SectionPhysics Section

                    

FirstFirst Research Co Research Co-o-ordination Meetingrdination Meeting of theof the

CoCo--ordinated Research Proordinated Research Projectjectonon

Pathways to energy from inertial fusionPathways to energy from inertial fusion (IFE): (IFE):AAn integrated approachn integrated approach

66--1010 November 200 November 20066 Vienna, AustriaVienna, Austria

INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCYATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY Division of Physical and Chemical SciencesDivision of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Physics SectionPhysics Section

                    

SecondSecond Research Co Research Co-o-ordination Meetingrdination Meeting of theof the

CoCo--ordinated Research Proordinated Research Projectjectonon

Pathways to energy from inertial fusionPathways to energy from inertial fusion (IFE): (IFE):AAn integrated approachn integrated approach

1919--2323 MayMay 200 20088 PraguePrague, , Czech RepublicCzech Republic

1144 countries countries including:

Czech Republic (1)Czech Republic (1)France (1)France (1)Germany (1)Germany (1)Hungary (1)Hungary (1)India (1)India (1)Japan (2)Japan (2) China China promisedpromisedRep. of Korea (1) Rep. of Korea (1) during the during the APLS 2006APLS 2006Poland (1) Poland (1) to to joinjoin as well !!! as well !!!Romania (1)Romania (1)Russia (Russia (44))Spain (Spain (22))UK (1)UK (1)USA (USA (22))Uzbekistan (1)Uzbekistan (1)

ParticipantsParticipants

Current statusCurrent statusin the IFEin the IFE

developmentdevelopment

Fast Ignition SchemeFast Ignition Scheme

Compression and heating can be separated Compression and heating can be separated in fast ignitionin fast ignition

Compression by Compression by multiple laser beamsmultiple laser beams

Heating by ultra-intense Heating by ultra-intense laser pulselaser pulse

Ignition & BurnIgnition & Burn

Colin DANSONColin DANSON

ORIONORION

Mike DUNNE Mike DUNNE

HiPERHiPER

National Ignition FacilityNational Ignition Facility (NIF) (NIF) – Livermore, US – Livermore, US

NIF will execute four major ignition NIF will execute four major ignition campaigns in the next four yearscampaigns in the next four years

NIF will help NIF will help IFE to become MFEIFE to become MFE

big competitorbig competitor

LIFE:LIFE:Laser InertialLaser Inertial

Fusion-FissionFusion-FissionEnergyEnergy

Pure fusion solutions are technologicallyPure fusion solutions are technologically

and economically challengingand economically challenging

Shape-shifting(12 shots shifted, 16 shots un-shifted)

0.E+00

1.E+08

2.E+08

3.E+08

4.E+08

5.E+08

6.E+08

7.E+08

8.E+08

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

time (ns)

po

wer

(W

)

shape-shifted request

shape-shifted avg meas

non-shifted request

non-shifted avg meas

11)) Central Ignition Scheme Central Ignition SchemeGain 10 exp. in 2010 in the U.S.Gain 10 exp. in 2010 in the U.S.

22)) Fast Ignition Scheme Fast Ignition SchemeSub-ignition exp. in Japan & U.S. starting Sub-ignition exp. in Japan & U.S. starting soonsoon

33)) Beyond Ignition toward Energy Production Beyond Ignition toward Energy ProductionFIREX IIFIREX II (Single Shot High Gain): Japan(Single Shot High Gain): JapanHiPER (Burst Mode, High Gain): EUHiPER (Burst Mode, High Gain): EULIFE (2000-4000 MWth): U.S.A.LIFE (2000-4000 MWth): U.S.A.Z pinch reactor: U.S.A.Z pinch reactor: U.S.A.

SummarySummary

4) 4) The world wide, complimentary effort on inertial The world wide, complimentary effort on inertial fusion energy appears coordinated and healthy.fusion energy appears coordinated and healthy.

5) 5) Many approaches are to be soon demonstrated orMany approaches are to be soon demonstrated or to be tested of ignition, high gain and energy to be tested of ignition, high gain and energy production. production.

6) 6) The ignition once demonstrated will be a sound mile The ignition once demonstrated will be a sound mile

stone for IFE and can be used as a firm bench markstone for IFE and can be used as a firm bench mark for coming high gain and energy production. for coming high gain and energy production.

7) 7) The laser development and target production The laser development and target production proceed to be ready for the coming high repetitionproceed to be ready for the coming high repetition era. era.

SummarySummary