Status of Z-Pinch Fusion

Capsule compression Z-Pinch Power Plant Chamber Repetitive Driverexperiments on Z LTD Technology

Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company,for the United States Department of Energy under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Fusion Power Associates Annual Meeting and Symposium Washington, DC November 19-21, 2003

Craig Olson Sandia National LaboratoriesAlbuquerque, NM 87185

The long-range goal of Z-Pinch IFE is to produce an economically-attractive power plant using high-yield z-pinch-driven targets (3 GJ) at low rep-rate (0.1 Hz)

Z-Pinch IFE DEMO (ZP-3, the first study) used 12 chambers, each with 3 GJ at 0.1 Hz, to produce 1000 MWe

Z-Pinch IFE DEMO

Z-Pinch ETF(ETF Phase 2)

$1B

Z-Pinch IRE $150M (TPC)

+op/year

Z-Pinch IFE PoP $10M /year

Z-Pinch High Yield

Z-Pinch Ignition

High Yield Facility(ETF Phase 1)

Laser indirect-drive

Ignition

2038

2024

2018

2012

2008

2004

1999

FI

ZR

Z

NIF

Year Single-shot, NNSA/DP Repetitive for IFE, OFES/VOIFE

Z-Pinch IFE targetdesign

$2M /year

Z-Pinch IFEtarget fab.,

power plant technologies $2M /year

Z-Pinch IFEtargetdesign

$5M /year

Z-Pinch IFEtarget fab.,power plant

technologies $5M /year

Z-Pinch IFE CE $400k /year(SNL LDRD +)

Z-Pinch IFE Road Map

Z-Pinch IFE Matrix of Possibilities (choose one from each category)

Z-Pinch Driver: ______________ Marx generator/ magnetic switching linear transformer driver water line technology (RHEPP technology) (LTD technology)

RTL (Recyclable Transmission Line): _____ Flibe/electrical coating immiscible material (e. g., low activation ferritic steel)

Target: _ double-pinch dynamic hohlraum fast ignition

Chamber: ____ dry-wall wetted-wall thick-liquid wall solid/voids (e. g., Flibe foam)

Z-Pinch Driver

0

50

100

150

200

0 0.5 1 1.5

Po

we

r (T

W)

Z

Time (s)

x rays~1.8 MJ

Marx

11.4 MJ

water

vacuum Electrical to x-ray energyConversion efficiency > 15%

Pulsed-power provides compact, efficient time compression and power amplification

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

1 10

En

erg

y (

MJ/c

m)

Current (MA)

Z-pinches offer the promise of a cost-effective energy-rich source of x-rays for IFE

Supermite

Proto II

Saturn

Z

Ek 3Lp0

4I0

2

ZR

ZR will be within a factor of 2-3 in current (4-9 in energy) of a High Yield driver.

High Yield Facility

(1 MA)

(10 MA)

( 60 MA)

( 90 MA)

RTL

(Recyclable Transmission Line)

Z-pinch power plant chamber uses an RTL (Recyclable Transmission Line) to provide the standoff between the driver and the target

INSULATOR STACK(connects to driver)

FLIBEJETS

10-20 TorrInert Gas

RTL

Z-PINCHTARGET

Yield and Rep-Rate: few GJ every 3-10 seconds per chamber (0.1 Hz - 0.3 Hz)Thick liquid wall chamber: only one opening (at top) for driver; nominal pressure (10-20 Torr)RTL entrance hole is only 1% of the chamber surface area (for R = 5 m, r = 1 m)Flibe absorbs neutron energy, breeds tritium, shields structural wall from neutrons Eliminates problems of final optic, pointing and tracking N beams, high speed target injectionRequires development of RTL

RTL replacement requires only modest acceleration for IFE

L = 0.5 a t2 , or a ~ 1/t2 Acceleration is 104 less than for IFE target injection for ions or lasers

1

10

0.01 0.1 1 10

Le

ng

th (

m)

Time (s)

1,00

0 g

100

g

10 g 1 g

0.1

g

0.01

grifl

e b

ulle

t

Car

(0

- 60

mp

h in

10

s)

Pro

met

heu

s-L

OS

IRIS

, SO

MB

RE

RO

,

Pro

met

heu

s-H

IFE

tar

get

inje

ctio

n

for

ion

s an

d la

sers

IFE

RT

L r

epla

cem

ent

for

rep

-rat

ed z

pin

ches

104 g

(~ 10 Hz) (~ 0.1 Hz)

Status of RTL Research

RTL electrical turn-on Saturn experiments at 10 MA (2000) tin, Al, stainless-steel all show negligible lossesRTL low-mass and Saturn experiments at 10 MA (2001)electrical conductivity 20 mylar; 50, 100, 250 steel RTL mass could be as low as 2 kg RTL mass 50 kg has low resistive lossesRTL structural Calculations (U. Wisconsin) (2002) full-scale RTL (50 kg) of 25 mill steel ok for 10-20 TorrRTL manufacturing Allowed RTL budget is a few $ for 3 GJ Flibe casting ($0.70/RTL) ferritic steel stamping ( $1.20-3.95/RTL)

Current RTL research structural integrity shrapnel formation RTL manufacturing/cost vacuum connections activation/waste stream analysis shock disruption to fluid walls foam Flibe

RTL FINITE ELEMENT MODEL constructed in ANSYS to perform structural analysis

R = 50 cm

r = 5 cm

L = 200 cm

25 mil steel

disc 10 cm lip

Fusion Technology InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison

RTL Structural

PRELIMINARY BUCKLING ANALYSIS of steel RTL

78 Torr RTL buckles at 1.52 psi = 78 Torr as shown

20 Torr no effect (safe operating point)

Fusion Technology InstituteUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison

RTL Structural

Targets

Z-pinch-driven-hohlraums have similar topology to laser-driven-hohlraums, but larger scale-size

Double ended hohlraum

Laser SourceCones

NIF Scale

5.5 mm10 mm

35 mmDynamic hohlraum

6 mm

The baseline DEH capsule yields 380 MJ withan ignition margin similar to a NIF capsule

Peak drive temperatureIn-flight aspect ratio

Implosion velocityConvergence ratio

Total RT growth factorPeak density

Total rrDriver energy

Absorbed energyYield

Burnup fraction

223 eV372.9 x 107 cm/s36420750 g/cm3

3.15 g/cm2

16 MJ 1.12 MJ380 MJ31%

Capsule Performance Parameters

0.240 cm radius0.259 cm radius

0.218 cm radius

DT gas (0.3 mg/cm3)

solid DT

solid Be

J.H. Hammer, et al., Phys Plasmas 6, 2129

Summary – Double-ended hohlraum ICF status

• Simulation codes and analytic modeling have been validated by measurements of time-dependent z-pinch x-ray production, z-pinch hohlraum temperatures, and capsule hohlraum temperatures

• A reproducible, single power feed, double z-pinch radiation source with excellent power balance has been developed for ICF capsule implosion studies

• The Z-Beamlet Laser (ZBL) is routinely used as an x-ray backlighter at x-ray energies up to 6.75 keV

• Achieved capsule convergence ratios of 14-20

• Capsule symmetry (P2 and P4) in double-pinch hohlraums on Z can be systematically controlled with demonstrated time-integrated symmetry of ≤ 3%

• Optimum hohlraums on Z should produce time-integrated radiation symmetry of ≤ 1% for 5 mm diameter capsules and absorbed energies of 25 kJ

• P4 shimming shots are scheduled in collaboration with LLNL and LBL HIF program

Double-Ended Hohlraum Concept Publications

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

Ra

diu

s (m

m)

Cuneo, Vesey, Porter et al., Phys. Plas. 8, 2257 (2001)

Cuneo, Vesey, Hammer et al., Laser Particle Beams, 19, 481 (2001)

Hohlraum energetics

Foam ball radiation symmetry

Double pinch performance

Hanson, Vesey, Cuneo et al., Phys. Plas. 9, 2173 (2002)

Cuneo, Vesey, Porter et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 215004 (2002)

Symmetric capsule implosions

Symmetry control

Bennett, Cuneo, Vesey et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 245002 (2002)

Bennett, Vesey, Cuneo et al., Phys. Plasmas, 10, 3717 (2003)

Vesey, Cuneo, Bennett et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 035005 (2003)

Vesey, Bennett, Cuneo et al., Phys. Plasmas 10, 1854 (2003)

DiagnosticsSinars, Cuneo, Bennett et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum., 74, 2202 (2003)

Sinars, Bennett, Wenger, et al., Appl. Opt., 19, 4059, (2003)

Stygar, Ives, Fehl, Cuneo et al., accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E

Cuneo, Chandler, Lebedev et al., in preparation for Phys. Plasmas

Waisman, Cuneo, Stygar et al., in preparation for Phys. Plasmas

ConceptHammer, Tabak, Wilks, et. al., Phys. Plasmas, 6, 2129(1999)

Pinch physics

The initial dynamic hohlraum high yield integrated target design produces a 527 MJ yield at 54 MA

Peak drive temperatureIn-flight aspect ratio

Implosion velocityConvergence ratio

DT KE @ ignitionPeak density

Total rrDriver energy

Absorbed energyYield

Burnup fraction

350 eV483.3 x 107 cm/s2750%444 g/cm3

2.14 g/cm2

12 MJ2.3 MJ527 MJ34%

Capsule Performance Parameters

0.275 cm radius

0.249 cm radius

DT gas (0.5 mg/cm3)

0.253 cm radius

solid DT

solid Be

Be+3% Cu

J.S. Lash et al., Inertial Fusion Sciences & Apps 99, p583

0.225 cm radius

Summary – Dynamic Hohlraum ICF status

• The primary radiation source is a thin radiating shock in the foam converter

• Shock timing and capsule implosions in good agreement with rad-MHD modeling

• Demonstrated >200 eV x-ray drive temperatures in dynamic hohlraums on Z

• Imploded thin shell surrogate capsules absorbing 20-40 kJ of thermal x-rays (NIF-sized capsules)

• Measured Te~1 keV, ne~1x1023 from Ar K-shell spectra from imploded capsules

• Measured 2.6±1.3x1010 thermonuclear D-D neutrons from ICF capsules absorbing >20 kJ

• Symmetry measurements of capsule core x-rays made through ‘thin walled’ dynamic hohlraums (a/b~0.6, CR~6)

• Capsule x-ray emission history (PCDs) in good agreement with simulations

• Capsule implosion time reproducible to 160 ps

Dynamic Hohlraum Concept Publications

• Concept V.P Smirnoff, et al., Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 33, 1697, (1991) M. K. Matzen, Phys. Plasmas 4, 1519 (1997) J.H. Brownell, et al., Phys Plasmas 5, 2071, (1998) D.L. Peterson, et al., Phys Plasma 6 (1999) J.S. Lash, et al., Proceedings of Inertial Fusion Sci. App. 1999, (Elsevier,

Paris 2000), Vol. I, p 583

• Energetics T. W. L. Sanford, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 5511 (1999) T.J. Nash, et al, Phys Plasmas 6, 2023 (1999) R.J. Leeper, et al., Nucl. Fusion 39, 1283 (1999) J.J. MacFarlane, et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 70, No. 1, p.1, (1999) S. A. Slutz, et al., Phys. Plasmas 8, 1673 (2001) T. W. L. Sanford, et al., Phys. Plasmas 9, No. 8, p. 3573 (2002) T.J. Nash, et al., , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 2211 (2003)

• ICF capsule implosions and neutron production S. A. Slutz, et al., Phys Plasmas 10, No. 5, p. 1875 (2003) J.E. Bailey, et al., Physical Review Letters 89, No. 095004 (2002) 56 J.E. Bailey, et al., – LANL preprint server, physics/0306039

• ICF ignition scaling T.A. Mehlhorn, et al., Plasma Phys Controlled Fusion – to be published,

2003

Code calculations and analytic scaling predict

z-pinch driver requirements for IFE DEMODouble-Pinch

HohlraumDynamic Hohlraum

current /x-raysEabs / yield

2 x 62-68 MA

2 x (16-19) MJ

1.3 – 2.6 MJ

400 – 4000 MJ

54 – 95 MA

12-37 MJ

2.4 – 7.2 MJ

530 – 4400 MJ

J. Hammer, M. Tabak, R. Vesey, S. Slutz, J. De Groot

current /x-rays Eabs / yield

Based on these results, an IFE target for DEMO will require: double-pinch hohlraum dynamic hohlraum 36 MJ of x-rays (2x66MA) 30 MJ of x-rays (86 MA) 3000 MJ yield 3000 MJ yield (G = 83) (G = 100)

Chambers/Power Plant

Z-Pinch IFE and Heavy Ion IFE use thick liquid walls Z-Pinches use simple waterfalls with a pressure requirement of 10-20 Torr

Major drivers: ______________________________________________ Laser Heavy ion Z-pinch (KrF, DPSSL) (induction linac) (pulsed power) GeV, kA MV, MA

Targets:_____________________________________ _______________ Direct-drive Indirect-drive Fast Igniter option (major driver + PW laser)

Chambers:__________________________________________________ Dry-wall Wetted-wall Thick-liquid wall Solid/voids

Thick liquid walls essentially alleviate the “first wall” problem, and can lead to a faster development path

Steel RTL Remanufacture Process

Rolling Mill

Vacuum Buffer (storage)

Cryogenic Buffer

Ingots Sheet

Stamping

Slag to Trace Metal Recoveryand Waste Management

Waste

Flux Agents

Scrap

To Waste Gas Treatment

Electric ArcFurnace

Target Capsules

Flibe with Impurities

Flibe RecyleProcesses

Solids recoveredfrom Flibe

Formed RTL Halves

Waste

Purified Flibe

90,000 RTL= 250 m3

= 2000 tonnes

Waste

RTL remains

Z-IFE DEMO produces 1000 MWe

ZP-3 (the first study) used 12 chambers, each with 3 GJ at 0.1 Hz

Z-Pinch power plant studies: G. Rochau, et al. : ZP-3 J. De Groot, et al.: Z-Pinch Fast Ignition Power Plant

DEMO parameters: yield/pulse: 3 GJ driver x-rays/pulse (86 MA) 30 MJ energy recovery factor: 80% thermal recovery/pulse: 2.4 GJ time between pulses/chamber: 3 seconds thermal power/unit 0.8 GWt thermal conversion efficiency 45 % electrical output/unit 0.36 GWe number of units 3 total plant power output 1.0 GWeMajor cost elements: LTD z-pinch drivers (3) $900 M RTL factory $500 M Target factory $350 M Balance of Plant $900 M Total Cost $2.65 G

Z-Pinch IFE near-term plans

Z-IFE PoP is a set of four experiments (shown here)plus IFE target studies plus IFE Power Plant studies

RTL experiments issues: shape, inductance, mass, electrical/structural, manufacture, cost power flow: limits, optimal configuration, convolute location chamber/interface issues: vacuum/electrical, debris removal, shielding RTL experiment test on ZRepetitive driver- LTD (Linear Transformer Driver) experiment 1 MA, 1 MV, 100 ns, 0.1 Hz driver design/construction/testing LTD is very compact (pioneered in Tomsk, Russia) no oil, no water LTD technology is modular, scalable, easily rep-ratable 1 MA, 100 kV cell is being developed this year (SNL/Tomsk) Shock mitigation scaled experiments 3 GJ yield is larger than conventional IFE yields of 0.4-0.7 GJ coolant streams, or solids/voids, may be placed as close to target as desired shock experiments with explosives and water hydraulic flows validate code capabilities for modeling full driver scale yieldsFull RTL cycle @ 0.1 Hz experiment integrated experiment (LTD, RTLs, z-pinch loads, 0.1 Hz) demonstrate RTL/z-pinch insertion, vacuum/electrical connections, firing of z-pinch, removal of remnant, repeat of cycle

z-pinches have 5 kJ x-ray output per shot

$4M for Z-Pinch IFE for FY04 is in House-Senate Conference Agreement

Cost: $14M/year for 3-5 years, $5M for FY04 to start

HEDP with Z

High current pulsed power accelerators drive many different load configurations

Z-pinch x-ray source

Hohlraum source(Planckian)

K-shell source(Non-Planckian)

• ICF

- Ignition & high yield

- Inertial Fusion Energy

• Weapon physics

• Shock physics

• Basic science

• Radiation effects

• Weapon effects

• IFE chamber materials

• Basic science

High Z Low to mid Z

High Current

Magnetic pressure• Isentropic

Compression Experiments (ICE)

• Flyer Plates

• Basic science

ICF/WPIFE

ICE/Flyer PlatesRES

High Current Laser