Primary Design and Operation Analysis of the ITER Transfer Cask System

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haitian Wang ◽  
Ge Li ◽  
Shijun Qin
Keyword(s):  
Computer Aided Design ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Variable Structure ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Nuclear Radiation ◽  
Radiation Environment ◽  
Vacuum Vessel ◽  
Remote Handling ◽  
Self Powered

The ITER is an international collaborative project aimed at demonstrating the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy for peaceful purposes. China as one of the seven parties takes part in the ITER, and wishes to grasp the remote handling technology, which is one of the four key technologies related to the future fusion reactors for electric power generation. The transfer cask system (TCS) is one subsystem of ITER remote handling system, which provides the means for the remote transfer of (clean/activated/contaminated) in-vessel components and Remote Handling Equipment between Hot Cell Facility and Vacuum Vessel through dedicated galleries and lift in the ITER buildings. The TCS can work in the nuclear radiation environment and can be fully driven by self powered electricity with high energy density batteries. Its driving force is provided by nearly twenty servo motors. The remote handling technology can lay the foundation for developing demonstration nuclear fusion power plant in China on self-reliance. Due to the gamma irradiation and the hazard material in these ITER parts, all required maintenance of the port plug and the inner components are being carried out by the TCS, which offers confinement boundaries to these components. The ITER Tokamak building includes three floors, including upper port level, equatorial port level and lower port level, linked by a lift. Due to limited Tokamak building space which is frozen and can not be changed presently, the TCS penetrates its cable tray for about 300 mm. According to the configuration each port level and the mass of the corresponding plug, the dimensions of the TCS envelope in three levels are different. The basic components and the basic parameters of the TCS are presented. Furthermore, according to each port level configuration and the safety requirement of the TCS, the radius of the curvature with the TCS trajectory is optimized, and a trajectory of each port level is determined by the positioned guidance beacons. At last, the results of the computer aided design (CAD) shows that the present conflict between TCS and Tokamak building can be designed compatible with the proposed variable structure cable tray in the ITER Tokamak building and the TCS based on a fleet of server motor driven system.

scholarly journals From natural to artificial photosynthesis

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (81) ◽  
pp. 20120984 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Barber ◽  
Phong D. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Nuclear Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Chemical Bonds ◽  
Natural Photosynthesis

Demand for energy is projected to increase at least twofold by mid-century relative to the present global consumption because of predicted population and economic growth. This demand could be met, in principle, from fossil energy resources, particularly coal. However, the cumulative nature of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions demands that stabilizing the atmospheric CO 2 levels to just twice their pre-anthropogenic values by mid-century will be extremely challenging, requiring invention, development and deployment of schemes for carbon-neutral energy production on a scale commensurate with, or larger than, the entire present-day energy supply from all sources combined. Among renewable and exploitable energy resources, nuclear fusion energy or solar energy are by far the largest. However, in both cases, technological breakthroughs are required with nuclear fusion being very difficult, if not impossible on the scale required. On the other hand, 1 h of sunlight falling on our planet is equivalent to all the energy consumed by humans in an entire year. If solar energy is to be a major primary energy source, then it must be stored and despatched on demand to the end user. An especially attractive approach is to store solar energy in the form of chemical bonds as occurs in natural photosynthesis. However, a technology is needed which has a year-round average conversion efficiency significantly higher than currently available by natural photosynthesis so as to reduce land-area requirements and to be independent of food production. Therefore, the scientific challenge is to construct an ‘artificial leaf’ able to efficiently capture and convert solar energy and then store it in the form of chemical bonds of a high-energy density fuel such as hydrogen while at the same time producing oxygen from water. Realistically, the efficiency target for such a technology must be 10 per cent or better. Here, we review the molecular details of the energy capturing reactions of natural photosynthesis, particularly the water-splitting reaction of photosystem II and the hydrogen-generating reaction of hydrogenases. We then follow on to describe how these two reactions are being mimicked in physico-chemical-based catalytic or electrocatalytic systems with the challenge of creating a large-scale robust and efficient artificial leaf technology.

scholarly journals AWE experimental laser plasma program

2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. DUNNE ◽  
J. EDWARDS ◽  
P. GRAHAM ◽  
A. EVANS ◽  
S. ROTHMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Equation Of State ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Strong Shock ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Radiation Hydrodynamics ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Wide Range

The achievement of ignition from an Inertial Confinement Fusion capsule will require a detailed understanding of a wide range of high energy density phenomena. This paper presents some recent work aimed at improving our knowledge of the strength and equation of state characteristics of low-Z materials, and outlines data which will provide quantitative benchmarks against which our predictive radiation hydrodynamics capabilities can be tested. Improvements to our understanding in these areas are required if reproducible and predictable fusion energy production is to be achieved on the next generation of laser facilities.In particular, the HELEN laser at AWE has been used to create a thermal X-ray source with 140 eV peak radiation temperature and 3% instantaneous flux uniformity to allow measurements of the Equation of State of materials at pressures up to 20 Mbar to an accuracy of <±2% in shock velocity. The same laser has been used to investigate the onset of spallation upon the release of a strong shock at a metal-vacuum boundary, with dynamic radiography used to image the spalled material in flight for the first time. Finally, a range of experiments have been performed to generate quantitative radiation hydrodynamics data on the evolution of gross target defects, driven in both planar and imploding geometry. X-ray radiography was used to record the evolving target deformation in a system where the X-ray drive and unperturbed target response were sufficiently characterized to permit meaningful analysis. The results have been compared to preshot predictions made using a wide variety of fluid codes, highlighting substantial differences between the various approaches, and indicating significant discrepancies with the experimental reality. The techniques developed to allow quantitative comparisons are allowing the causes of the discrepancies to be identified, and are guiding the development of new simulation techniques.

scholarly journals Edward Teller Lectures—Lasers and Inertial Fusion Energy, Heinrich Hora and George H. Miley, eds.

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-330
Author(s):  
Dieter H.H. Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Particle Beam ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Research Field ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Intense Laser ◽  
Inertial Fusion ◽  
Inertial Fusion Energy ◽  
Edward Teller

Edward Teller Lectures—Lasers and Inertial Fusion Energy, Heinrich Hora and George H. Miley, eds. Foreword by E.M. Campbell. First edition. Imperial College Press, London, 365 pp. US $63.00 ISBN: 1-86094-468-XSince 1991, the Edward Teller Medal is awarded to individual researchers in recognition of their respective pioneering experimental or theoretical work in the field of intense laser and particle beam physics, and physics application of high power drivers, which is exactly the field that the journalLaser and Particle Beamscovers in great detail. Motivation of this research field is the investigation of properties of high energy density matter with the ultimate goal to achieve inertial fusion in the laboratory under reproducible conditions, and to develop a scientific basis for inertial fusion energy.

scholarly journals Nonlinear force driven plasma blocks igniting solid density hydrogen boron: Laser fusion energy without radioactivity

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Hora ◽  
G.H. Miley ◽  
N. Azizi ◽  
B. Malekynia ◽  
M. Ghoranneviss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Production ◽  
Radiation Effects ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Laser Pulses ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Nuclear Radiation ◽  
Laser Fusion ◽  
Surprising Result ◽  
Neutron Generation ◽  
Alternative Scheme

AbstractEnergy production by laser driven fusion energy is highly matured by spherical compression and ignition of deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel. An alternative scheme is the fast ignition where petawatt (PW)-picosecond (ps) laser pulses are used. A significant anomaly was measured and theoretically analyzed with very clean PW-ps laser pulses for avoiding relativistic self focusing. This permits a come-back of the side-on ignition scheme of uncompressed solid DT, which is in essential contrast to the spherical compression scheme. The conditions of side-on ignition thresholds needed exorbitantly high energy flux densities E*. These conditions are now in reach by using PW-ps laser pulses to verify side-on ignition for DT. Generalizing this to side-on igniting solid state density proton-Boron-11 (HB11) arrives at the surprising result that this is one order of magnitude more difficult than the DT fusion. This is in contrast to the well known impossibility of igniting HB11 by spherical laser compression and may offer fusion energy production with exclusion of neutron generation and nuclear radiation effects with a minimum of heat pollution in power stations and application for long mission space propulsion.

scholarly journals Building high accuracy emulators for scientific simulations with deep neural architecture search

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Firmansyah Kasim ◽  
D. Watson-Parris ◽  
L. Deaconu ◽  
S. Oliver ◽  
P. Hatfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Training Data ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Neural Architecture ◽  
Large Scale Data ◽  
Scientific Simulations ◽  
Computational Discovery

Abstract Computer simulations are invaluable tools for scientific discovery. However, accurate simulations are often slow to execute, which limits their applicability to extensive parameter exploration, large-scale data analysis, and uncertainty quantification. A promising route to accelerate simulations by building fast emulators with machine learning requires large training datasets, which can be prohibitively expensive to obtain with slow simulations. Here we present a method based on neural architecture search to build accurate emulators even with a limited number of training data. The method successfully emulates simulations in 10 scientific cases including astrophysics, climate sci-ence, biogeochemistry, high energy density physics, fusion energy, and seismology, using the same super-architecture, algorithm, and hyperparameters. Our approach also inherently provides emulator uncertainty estimation, adding further confidence in their use. We anticipate this work will accelerate research involving expensive simulations, allow more extensive parameters exploration, and enable new, previously unfeasible computational discovery.

scholarly journals Printable magnesium ion quasi-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors for flexible solar-charging integrated units

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengnan Tian ◽  
Xiaoling Tong ◽  
Guan Sheng ◽  
Yuanlong Shao ◽  
Lianghao Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid State ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Cycling Stability ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Magnesium Ion ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Asymmetric Supercapacitors ◽  
Energy Conversion And Storage ◽  
Self Powered ◽  
Favorable Safety

Abstract Wearable and portable self-powered units have stimulated considerable attention in both the scientific and technological realms. However, their innovative development is still limited by inefficient bulky connections between functional modules, incompatible energy storage systems with poor cycling stability, and real safety concerns. Herein, we demonstrate a flexible solar-charging integrated unit based on the design of printed magnesium ion aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors. This power unit exhibits excellent mechanical robustness, high photo-charging cycling stability (98.7% capacitance retention after 100 cycles), excellent overall energy conversion and storage efficiency (ηoverall = 17.57%), and outstanding input current tolerance. In addition, the Mg ion quasi-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors show high energy density up to 13.1 mWh cm−3 via pseudocapacitive ion storage as investigated by an operando X-ray diffraction technique. The findings pave a practical route toward the design of future self-powered systems affording favorable safety, long life, and high energy.

scholarly journals Inertial confinement fusion: a defence context

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2184) ◽  
pp. 20200012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Randewich ◽  
Rob Lock ◽  
Warren Garbett ◽  
Dominic Bethencourt-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
High Gain ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Confinement Fusion ◽  
The Uk

Almost 30 years since the last UK nuclear test, it remains necessary regularly to underwrite the safety and effectiveness of the National Nuclear Deterrent. To do so has been possible to date because of the development of continually improving science and engineering tools running on ever more powerful high-performance computing platforms, underpinned by cutting-edge experimental facilities. While some of these facilities, such as the Orion laser, are based in the UK, others are accessed by international collaboration. This is most notably with the USA via capabilities such as the National Ignition Facility, but also with France where a joint hydrodynamics facility is nearing completion following establishment of a Treaty in 2010. Despite the remarkable capability of the science and engineering tools, there is an increasing requirement for experiments as materials age and systems inevitably evolve further from what was specifically trialled at underground nuclear tests (UGTs). The data from UGTs will remain the best possible representation of the extreme conditions generated in a nuclear explosion, but it is essential to supplement these data by realizing new capabilities that will bring us closer to achieving laboratory simulations of these conditions. For high-energy-density physics, the most promising technique for generating temperatures and densities of interest is inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Continued research in ICF by the UK will support the certification of the deterrent for decades to come; hence the UK works closely with the international community to develop ICF science. UK Ministry of Defence © Crown Owned Copyright 2020/AWE. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 1)'.

Recent progress in quantifying hydrodynamics instabilities and turbulence in inertial confinement fusion and high-energy-density experiments

2020 ◽  
Vol 379 (2189) ◽  
pp. 20200021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Casner
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement Fusion ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
High Gain ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Confinement ◽  
Direct Drive ◽  
Energy Part ◽  
Confinement Fusion

Since the seminal paper of Nuckolls triggering the quest of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) with lasers, hydrodynamic instabilities have been recognized as one of the principal hurdles towards ignition. This remains true nowadays for both main approaches (indirect drive and direct drive), despite the advent of MJ scale lasers with tremendous technological capabilities. From a fundamental science perspective, these gigantic laser facilities enable also the possibility to create dense plasma flows evolving towards turbulence, being magnetized or not. We review the state of the art of nonlinear hydrodynamics and turbulent experiments, simulations and theory in ICF and high-energy-density plasmas and draw perspectives towards in-depth understanding and control of these fascinating phenomena. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Prospects for high gain inertial fusion energy (part 2)’.

Accelerators for Inertial Fusion Energy Production

2013 ◽  
Vol 06 ◽  
pp. 85-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. O. Bangerter ◽  
A. Faltens ◽  
P. A. Seidl
Keyword(s):  
Energy Production ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Heavy Ion ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Inertial Fusion ◽  
Inertial Fusion Energy ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Fusion Applications

Since the 1970s, high energy heavy ion accelerators have been one of the leading options for imploding and igniting targets for inertial fusion energy production. Following the energy crisis of the early 1970s, a number of people in the international accelerator community enthusiastically began working on accelerators for this application. In the last decade, there has also been significant interest in using accelerators to study high energy density physics (HEDP). Nevertheless, research on heavy ion accelerators for fusion has proceeded slowly pending demonstration of target ignition using the National Ignition Facility (NIF), a laser-based facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. A recent report of the National Research Council recommends expansion of accelerator research in the US if and when the NIF achieves ignition. Fusion target physics and the economics of commercial energy production place constraints on the design of accelerators for fusion applications. From a scientific standpoint, phase space and space charge considerations lead to the most stringent constraints. Meeting these constraints almost certainly requires the use of multiple beams of heavy ions with kinetic energies >1 GeV. These constraints also favor the use of singly charged ions. This article discusses the constraints for both fusion and HEDP, and explains how they lead to the requirements on beam parameters. RF and induction linacs are currently the leading contenders for fusion applications. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both options. We also discuss the principal issues that must yet be resolved.

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