Fusion Energy Dynamics（FED）

Summary

A part of energy originating from fusion internally circulates in a fusion reactor as energy and fuel while changing form. Design of a laser fusion reactor with a balance of the energy and fuel circulations is an issue. We study energy dynamics in a laser fusion system toward realizing laser fusion reactors.

Research topics

1. Blanket research

Blanket, which has both functions of energy conversions from fusion to heat and electricity and of fuel production, is one of the important components. We study blanket materials and their composition to implement into laser fusion reactors.

Fig. 1 Blanket model for energy conversion simulation (left), neutron flux (right).

[1] A. Iwamoto, and R. Kodama, “Core size effects of laser fusion subcritical research reactor for fusion engineering research,” Nuclear Fusion, 61 (2021), 116075

2.Fuel production technology research

Laser fusion reactors require high purity fuel in a solid state. Fusion fuel produced in a blanket should be recovered with high efficiency. Then the recovered fuel is purified and is supplied to laser fusion reactors. We study all processes of fuel production with experiments and simulations.

Fig. 2 Neutron irradiation simulation model for fuel production (left), Simulation of a fuel solidification process (right).

[2] A. Iwamoto, et al., “Void free fuel solidification in a foam shell FIREX target”, Plasma and Fusion Research 15 (2020), 2404006.

3. Laser fusion reactor digital twin

We research modeling of each component in a laser fusion reactor system in order to virtually build a laser fusion reactor. Try and error method is the best way for researching blanket systems which have not been achieved yet. Blanket system research could be advanced using the virtual laser fusion reactor.

4. Reactor design

Reactor design activity can reveal research issues toward laser fusion reactors. Laser fusion reactor development would be proceeded from a research to a commercial reactors, step by step. To date, a laser fusion research reactor with a MW class laser facility was designed, which can be built utilizing current technologies. A commercial laser fusion reactor design integrating innovative ideas will be launched.

Fig.3 Laser fusion research reactor with a MW class laser facility.

[3] A. Iwamoto, et al., “Baseline design of laser fusion research reactor with MW class laser facility,” Nuclear Fusion, 64 (2024), 086068.

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