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Cascade ICF power reactor

Author
Hogan, W. J.
Published
United States : [publisher not identified], 1986
Springfield, Va.: National Technical Information Service, [approximately 1986]
Physical Description
microfiche : negative ; 11 x 15 cm
Additional Creators
Pitts, J. H.

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Summary
The double-cone-shaped Cascade reaction chamber rotates at 50 rpm to keep a blanket of ceramic granules in place against the wall as they slide from the poles to the exit slots at the equator. The 1 m-thick blanket consists of layers of carbon, beryllium oxide, and lithium aluminate granules about 1 mm in diameter. The x rays and debris are stopped in the carbon granules; the neutrons are multiplied and moderated in the BeO and breed tritium in the LiAlO2. The chamber wall is made up of SiO tiles held in compression by a network of composite SiC/Al tendons. Cascade operates at a 5 Hz pulse rate with 300 MJ in each pulse. The temperature in the blanket reaches 1600 K on the inner surface and 1350 K at the outer edge. The granules are automatically thrown into three separate vacuum heat exchangers where they give up their energy to high pressure helium. The helium is used in a Brayton cycle to obtain a thermal-to-electric conversion efficiency of 55%. Studies have been done on neutron activation, debris recovery, vaporization and recondensation of blanket material, tritium control and recovery, fire safety, and cost. These studies indicate that Cascade appears to be a promising ICF reactor candidate from all standpoints. At the 1000 MWe size, electricity could be made for about the same cost as in a future fission reactor.
Report Numbers
DE86010947; UCRL-94323; CONF-860551-4
Other Subject(s)
Collection
NTIS collection.
Note
DOE contract number: W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI Identifier 5628179
Research organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA).
View MARC record | catkey: 47364992