High-Yield Lithium-Injection Fusion-Energy (HYLIFE) reactor

Abstract

The High-Yield Lithium-Injection Fusion Energy (HYLIFE) concept to convert inertial confinement fusion energy into electric power has undergone intensive research and refinement at LLNL since 1978. This paper reports on the final HYLIFE design, focusing on five major areas: the HYLIFE reaction chamber (which includes neutronics, liquidmetal jet-array hydrodynamics, and structural design), supporting systems, primary steam system and balance of plant, safety and environmental protection, and costs. An annotated bibliography of reports applicable to HYLIFE is also provided. We conclude that HYLIFE is a particularly viable concept for the safe, clean produc tion of electrical energy. The liquid-metal jet array, HYLIFE's key design feature, protects the surrounding structural components from x rays, fusion fuel-pellet debris, neutron damage and activation, and high temperatures and stresses, allowing the structure to last for the plant's entire 30-year lifetime without being replaced. Liquid-metal inlets Central cavity Vacuum vessel Beam and pellet injection tubes Access hole •^/-Nojji^late Liquid-metal jet array Coolant channels Graphite neutron reflector First structural wall ion beams Liquid-metal outlets (to pumps)

Phase Equilibria and Phase Separation of the Aqueous Solution System Containing Lithium Ions

“…Lithium is the lightest alkali metal, which plays a growing role in numerous processes such as rechargeable batteries, thermonuclear fusion, medical drugs, lubricant greases, ceramic, glasses, dyes, adhesives, and electrode welding [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Lithium is a critical energy material and a strategic resource for the twenty-first century.…”

Drift compression and final focus systems for heavy ion inertial fusion

“…The main improvement of HYLIFE-II over the original HYLIFE-I design [11] is the use of a thick liquid wall of Flibe as a coolant instead of liquid lithium because of its fire hazard, lower neutron attenuation, and higher vapor pressure. Flibe is a molten salt composed of LiF and BeF 2 .…”

OSIRIS and SOMBRERO Inertial Fusion Power Plant Designs, Volume 2: Designs, Assessments, and Comparisons

“…Mickley and Fairbanks3.lg derived a correlation for the local heat transfer coefficient based on particle residence time on the heated surface. Baskakov3.20,3.21,3.22 introduced a contact resistance at the heated wall to allow for heat transfer impedance due to increased voidage at the wall. …”