Liquid wall inertial fusion energy power plants

Liquid walls interposed between the microexplosions and the chamber structural wall give an inertial fusion energy (IFE) power plant designer flexibility and result in profound advantages. For example, the fusion chamber walls behind the liquid can be made using existing materials (e.g. steel) and last as long as the plant itself without replacement while still meeting non-nuclear-grade construction standards and low level waste requirements. Development can be foreshortened and costs can be reduced by obviating the need for expensive neutron sources to develop first-wall materials. Over the last two decades the idea of using liquid wall protection has been employed in a number of laser, light-ion, and heavy-ion designs, for example, BLASCON, HYLIFE-I, HIBALL, Libra-SP, Cascade, Osiris, HYLIFE-II and others. The liquids found suitable are Li, Flibe (Li2BeF4), and Li17Pb83. The cost of electricity is lowered (depending on how many interior structures need periodic replacement, if any) by as much as 35%, and gives in one case 3.2¢ (kW h)−1 at 2 GW (electric) (4.4¢ (kW h)−1 at 1 GW (electric)). The evolution of ideas illustrated in the designs listed above is reviewed with an emphasis on heavy ion designs. New target designs permit one-sided illumination giving the power plant designer yet more flexibility. It is important to remember that a practical IFE power plant requires, in addition to liquid walls, development of ignition and sufficient gain in targets, low cost, efficient, rep-ratable drivers, and low cost targets.