Nova upgrade design support threats from radiation effects in the proposed nova upgrade

156 Pages·1992·13.966 MB·English

by  Curran, D. R., Tokheim, R.E., Seaman, L., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory., United States. Dept. of Energy. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs., United States. Dept. of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information

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Lawrence Liiermore National Laboratow under Contract W-740S-Enm-4S.
Work performed under the auapices of the U.S. Department of Energy by the Y
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September 1992
Poulter Laboratory
D . R. Curran
L. Seaman
R. E. Tolcheirn
P r o p o s e d Upgrade
Nova
Threats from Radiation Effects i n the
N o v a Upgrade Design S u p p o r t
S/C-B160484
UCRLCR-127484
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DISCLAIMER
This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States
Government. Neither the United States Government nor the University of California nor any of their
employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for
the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed,
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not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States
Government or the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do
not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or the University of California,
and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory under Contract W-7405-ENG-48.

Final ReportQSeptember 1992
NOVA UPGRADE DESIGN SUPPORT
Threats from Radiation Effects in the
Proposed Nova Upgrade
R.E.Tokheim,SeniorPhysicistandProjeo!Leader
L.Seaman,SeniorResearchEngineer
0. R.Curran,Soientifii13iior
PoufterLaboratory
SRIProjectNo.2802
SubcontractNo. B180484
Preparedfoc
t.hivem”~ofCalifornia
LawrenoeLivermoreNationalLaboratory
P.O.~X 808
Lnrmore, CA 94550
Attn: D.Ku~f, L-479
J. Krueger,L-850
M,Tobh, L-481
Approved:
J.0. Colton
LaboratoryDirector
PoufterLaboratory
D@dcMf .Golden
Vi President
PhysicafSciencesDivisiin
? ~[ I-H 333FlavenswooAdvenue.MenloPark,CA94025-3493 [phone] FAX:[phone] Telex:334466
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ABSTRACT
The program described in this report deals with the proposed Nova Upgrade facility, in
whichLawrence fiV~ National Laboratory (LLNL) expects to generate typically 20 MJof
total fbsion energy. The Nova Upgrade is considered the next practical step ailer Nova before
work begins ondevelopment of the Laboratory Microfusion Facility by which LLNL expects to
generate 100-1000 MJ of total fusion energy.
SRI International’s contributions have been to work with LLNL to understand the
radiation-induced vaporizmion, melting, fracture, and fragmentation resulting from the effects of
X-rays, neutrons, and debris irradiation on the target chamber wall, the steel feeder tubes of the
cryogenic target holder assembly, and the optics debris shields. We have assessed the major
collateral effects ofdirect and indirect damage from radiation and shrapnel debris on the optics
debris shields and have suggested alternative materials and designs to alleviate the effects of
radiation and debris. We also analyzed a technique LLNL has developed for producing hot X-rays
in a shielded environment that uses a lithium hydride shell to scatter hot X-rays from the source to
anexperimental target area while using acone toprevent direct cold-sou.meradiation and neutrons
&cmreaching the experimental target. There do not appear to be any “show stoppers” toprevent
recommending continued development of the Nova Upgrade for inertial confinement fusion (ICY)
experiments and nuclear effects testing.
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Section Page
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ABsTRAcr ................................................................................... ul
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ..........................................................+*... ix
LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................+... xv
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................... xvii
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1-1
1.1 Description of Nova Upgrade ....................................................... 1-1
1.2 Background ............................................................................. 1-7
1.3 Specific Source Description .......................................................... 1-7
1.4 Objectives ................................................................................
1.5 Approach ................................................................................ l!i:
1.6 SequenceofReport ................................................................... 1-1o
2 CHAMBER FIRST WALL ................................................................. 2-1
2.1 Introduction .............................................................................. 2-1
2.2 Aluminum as First Wall ............................................................. 2-1
2.2.1 Properties of Aluminum ..................................................... 2-1
2.2.2 X-Ray Effects ................................................................. 2-1
2.3 Alumina at First Wall ................................................................ 2-3
2.3.1 Introduction .................................................................... 2-3
2.3.2 X-Ray Effects ................................................................. 2-1o
2.4 Other Protective Coatings ............................................................ 2-1o
2.4.1 Introduction .................................................................... 2-1o
2.4.2 X-Ray Effects ................................................................. 2-15
2.5 Primary Wall Candidates .......................................................... .. 2-21
2.5.1 Introduction ................................................................. .. 2-21
2.5.2 X-Ray Effects .............................................................. .. 2-21
2.6 Recommendations ...................................................................... 2-27
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CONTENTS
(Continued)
Section Page
3 STAINLESS STEEL COOLANT TUBING ............................................ 3-1
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................. 3-1
3.2 Properties of Tubing .................................................................. 3-2
3.2.1 Shockwave Properties ...................................................... 3-2
3.2.2 Strength and Fracture Properties .......................................... 3-4
3.2.3 Fragmentation Properties .................................................... 3-4
3.3 Helium Properties ...................................................................... 3-4
3.4 Neutron Energy Deposition .......................................................... 3-6
3.4.1 Imroduction .................................................................... 3-6
3.4.2 Material State in Tubes ...................................................... 3-9
3.4.3 Particle Velocities of Tube .................................................. 3-9
3.4.4 Span Fracture of Tubes ..................................................... 3-9
3.4.5 Splitting in Tubes Under Neutron Loading ............................. 3-13
3.4.6 Droplet Formation in Liquid Range ...................................... 3-14
3.5 X-Ray Effects on Stainless Steel Tubes .......................................... 3-19
3.6 Effects of Hohlraum Debris on Tubes ............................................ 3-23
3.7 Combined Effects on Tube Velocities ............................................. 3-30
3.8 Recommendations ...................................................................... 3-30
4 OPTICS DEBRIS SHIELDS ............................................................... 4-1
4.1 Introduction ............................................................................. 4-1
4.2 Properties of Debris Shield Material ............................................... 4-1
4.3 X-Ray Effects .......................................................................... 4-1
4.4 Effects of Stainless Steel Fragments .............................................. 4-3
4.5 Effects of Hohlraum Debris ......................................................... 4-6
4.6 Recommendations ...................................................................... 4-9
5 APPLICATION OF NOVA UPGRADE AS AN X-RAY SOURCE .............. 5-1
5.1 Introduction ............................................................................. 5-1
5.2 Choice of Membrane Shield ......................................................... 5-1
5.3 Response of Membrane Shield to LiH Cone .................................... 5-4
5.4 LiH Shell Vaporization and Pressurization Effects ............................. 5-4
5.4.1 Properties of Lithium Hydride, Lithium, and Hydrogen ............. 5-5
5.4.2 Pressure in the Shell ........................................................ 5-5
5.4.3 Loading on the Membrane Shielding the Targets ...................... 5-7
5.4.4 summary ....................................................................... 5-8
5.5 Recommendations ...................................................................... 5-1o
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