Abstract A laser-driven fusion reactor consisting of concentric spherical vessels in which the thermonuclear energy is derived from a deuterium-tritium (D+T) burn within a ''''pellet,'''' located at the center of the vessels and initiated by a laser pulse. The resulting Alpha -particle energy and a small fraction of the neutron energy are deposited within the pellet; this pellet energy is eventually transformed into sensible heat of lithium in a condenser outside the vessels. The remaining neutron energy is dissipated in a lithium blanket, located within the concentric vessels, where the fuel ingredient, tritium, is also produced. The heat content of the blanket and of the condenser lithium is eventually transferred to a conventional thermodynamic plant where the thermal energy is converted to electrical energy in a steam Rankine cycle. This invention was made in the course of, or under, a contract with the U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION.
The reactor of claim 1 in which the said porous wall and the structural walls are composed of a material selected from the class consisting of austenitic stainless steel, zirconium, niobium, iron-chromium alloys, and pure iron.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reactor of claim 2 in which the said material is austenitic stainless steel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reactor of claim 3 in which the porous wall is composed of a highly sintered austenitic stainless steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The reactor of claim 1 in which there are four spherical walls, the innermost being a porous wall of about 1 cm thick, an inner wall 5 cm thick, a main pressure wall of 10 cm thick, and an outer wall 2 1/2 cm thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The reactor of claim 1 in which said spray condenser system consists of a diffuser means in fluid communication with the cavity and being connected to a condenser means which is in fluid communication with a decelerator means which is in communication with a liquid pool means, and said pool means being connected to recirculating and condensate pumps.