Numerical studies of deuterium-tritium ignition in impact-fusion targets

Author

Zubrin, Robert M. ; Ribe, Fred L.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Nucl. Eng., Washington Univ., Seattle, WA, USA

Volume

17

Issue

3

fYear

1989

fDate

6/1/1989 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

459

Lastpage

462

Abstract

A numerical one-dimensional solution of the Euler equations for an imploding spherical tungsten shell with internal deuterium-tritium gas is applied to study impact-fusion dynamics with parameters of fusion-reactor relevance. Thermal conduction and radiative energy loss by the plasma are taken into account, as is heating by fusion-generated alpha particles. A variety of target sizes and impact velocities are examined, and scaling laws for fusion yields are deduced which define possible parameters for conceptual commercial impact-fusion power reactors. It is found that shell energies and velocities of about 30 MJ and 110 km/s would be satisfactory. A potential commercial impact-fusion reactor based on such parameters is discussed

Keywords

fusion reactor ignition; fusion reactor theory and design; plasma collision processes; plasma heating; plasma transport processes; Euler equations; commercial impact-fusion power reactors; fusion yields; fusion-generated alpha particles; fusion-reactor relevance; heating; impact velocities; impact-fusion targets; imploding spherical W shell; internal D-T gas; numerical one-dimensional solution; radiative energy loss; scaling laws; shell energies; target sizes; thermal conduction; velocities; Fusion reactors; Ignition; Inductors; Neutrons; Plasma simulation; Plasma temperature; Projectiles; Rails; Thermal conductivity; Tungsten;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/27.32256

Filename

32256