march 4, 2009 queen's university 1 claude boucher fusion a promising source of energy

March 4, 2009 Queen's University 1

Claude BoucherClaude Boucher

FUSIONFUSIONA promising source of energyA promising source of energy

March 4, 2009 2Queen's University

PlanPlan

Why Fusion ?Why Fusion ? Energy supplyEnergy supply Climate changeClimate change

Basic conceptsBasic concepts The TOKAMAK (The TOKAMAK (toroidalnaya kamera toroidalnaya kamera

magnitnayamagnitnaya)) Power balance of a thermonuclear Power balance of a thermonuclear furnacefurnace

Confinement timeConfinement time Lawson criteriaLawson criteria Break-even vs IgnitionBreak-even vs Ignition

ITERITER Power plantPower plant


World primary energy consumption patternsWorld primary energy consumption patterns

From BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2008, www.bp.com

1 Mtoe = 0.042 EJ

462 EJ


Energy demand Energy demand (forecast)(forecast)

1 Gtoe = 42 EJ

IEA World Energy Outlook

www.worldenergyoutlook.org World energy demand expands by 45% between now and 2030 –an average rate of increase of 1.6% per year –with coal accounting for more than a third of the overall rise


Fossil fuel reserves-to-production (R/P) ratiosFossil fuel reserves-to-production (R/P) ratios

From BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2008, www.bp.com


Estimated reserves of the Estimated reserves of the principal non renewable resources principal non renewable resources

EJ ( 278 TWhr)EJ ( 278 TWhr)

(10(101818 joules) joules)

DurationDuration

(years)(years)

World annual energy consumption World annual energy consumption (2007)(2007) ~460~4601,a1,a 1 1

ResourceResource

CoalCoal 22,90022,90022 5050bb

OilOil 6,3006,30022 1414bb

Natural gasNatural gas 5,4005,40022 1212bb

Uranium 235 (fission reactors)Uranium 235 (fission reactors) 2,0002,00022 55

Uranium 238 and thorium (breeder Uranium 238 and thorium (breeder reactors)reactors) 120,000120,00022 300300

Lithium (D-T fusion reactor)Lithium (D-T fusion reactor)

LandLand 30,000 30,000

OceansOceans 30,000,000 30,000,000

1 Consortium Fusion Expo Europe

2 Intergovernmental Panel on Climat Change (IPCC http://www.ipcc.ch/ )

aa forecast for 2050 are between 500 and 800 EJ

b X 10 including « non-conventional » sources


RenewablesRenewables

(Left) U.S. electricity net generation by all fuels, and (Right) contribution of biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar technologies to the non-hydro renewables wedge .

Proceedings of the IPCC SCOPING MEETING ON RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, Lübeck, Germany, 20 – 25 January, 2008


Beauharnois hydro plantBeauharnois hydro plant

Power :Power : 1 657 MW 1 657 MW Type :Type : Run-of-the-River Run-of-the-River Number of turbinesNumber of turbines : 38 : 38 Height :Height : 24 m 24 m Commissioned :Commissioned : 1932- 1932-

1961 1961 Water system: Water system:

St-Laurence river St-Laurence river Reservoir :Reservoir :

Lake Saint-François Lake Saint-François Reservoir area :Reservoir area : 233 km 233 km22


Solar panelsSolar panels

1 GWe from maximum solar illumination of 1kW/m2

=> 1km x 1km for 100% efficiency

Efficiencies for PV ~10 to 20% with new technologies ~40%


All renewable supplyAll renewable supply

Hypothesis 2100Hypothesis 2100 Population = 9 billionPopulation = 9 billion High efficiency at 100,000 TWhHigh efficiency at 100,000 TWh Average of 11 TW ≈ actuelAverage of 11 TW ≈ actuel

SourcesSources Solar = 40%Solar = 40% Wind = 40%Wind = 40% Other renewable = 20%Other renewable = 20%

Wind = 0,6 million km2

Area larger than France

AreaSolar = 5,2 million de km2

= 56% of Canada or US= 2/3 of Australia

Source: G. Lafrance, book in preparation, Multimondes, fall 2006.Source: G. Lafrance, book in preparation, Multimondes, fall 2006.


COCO22 emissions emissions

IEA World Energy Outlook

www.worldenergyoutlook.org

Climate impact (1)Climate impact (1)


Observed changes in (a) global average surface temperature; (b) global average sea level from tide gauge (blue) and satellite (red) data; and (c) Northern Hemisphere snow cover for March-April.

All differences are relative to corresponding averages for the period 1961-1990. Smoothed curves represent decadal averaged values while circles show yearly values. The shaded areas are the uncertainty intervals estimated from a comprehensive analysis of known uncertainties (a and b) and from the time series (c).

IPCC, Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report (Valencia, Spain, 12-17 November 2007)


Climate impact (2)Climate impact (2)

United Nations Environment Program

SRES (Special Report on Emission Scenarios (IPCC))


Role of “renewables”Role of “renewables”

Solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, …Solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, … ““low density” applicationslow density” applications ~ 20 % of world supply~ 20 % of world supply Intensive land useIntensive land use

Need for clean, abundant, “high density” Need for clean, abundant, “high density” sourcesource

ENTER FUSION


D-T reaction D-T reaction

E = MC2


EfficiencyEfficiency

ChemicalChemical FissionFission FusionFusion

ReactionReaction C+OC+O22->CO->CO22

n+Un+U235235

=> Ba=> Ba143143+Kr+Kr9191+2n+2n

D+TD+T=> He+n=> He+n

FuelFuel Coal, OilCoal, Oil UraniumUranium Deuterium and Deuterium and TritiumTritium

Reaction Reaction TemperatureTemperature

(K)(K)700700 10001000 101088

Energy Energy producedproduced(J/kg)(J/kg)

3.3x103.3x1077 2.1x102.1x101212 3.4x103.4x101414


Fuel equivalenceFuel equivalence

0.6 ton

150 tons

10,000,000 barrels

2,100,000 tons

From « Fusion, energy for the future », National fusion program, 1991

Relative quantities of fuel required each year in different 1000 MW power plants

Fusion

Fission

Oil

Coal

1 pick-up truck

8 semi-trailors

7 super tankers, each of length equivalent to the CN tower

191 trains de 110 wagons each, for a total length of 400 km


Fusion reactions Fusion reactions

2 3 4 356 14 03 17 59D T He MeV n MeV MeV ( . ) ( . ) [ . ]

2 2 3 082 2 45 327D D He MeV n MeV MeV ( . ) ( . ) [ . ]

2 3 4 371 14 64 18 35D He He MeV p MeV MeV ( . ) ( . ) [ . ]

Large cross section

50%

Small cross section

Plus other possible reactions but with very small cross sections

50%

2 2 3 101 302 4 03D D T MeV p MeV MeV ( . ) ( . ) [ . ]


Fusion cross sectionsFusion cross sections

http://wwwppd.nrl.navy.mil/nrlformulary/index.html


Tritium breedingTritium breeding

n + 6Li = He +T + 4.8 MeV

n + 7Li = He +T – 2.5 MeV + n

Tritium is produced by the interaction between fusion neutrons and lithium in a blanket surrounding the plasma

Lithium is abundant in nature. Average concentration in the earth’s crust is about 0.004% (mass)

The “consumables” are deuterium and lithium

PlasmaPlasma


Mater is ionized:

electrons (-) and ions (+)

Degree of ionization related to temperature:

High temperature means no more neutrals

Particles will have “distribution function”

Charged particles gyrate around magnetic field lines


D-T reaction rateD-T reaction rate

v T

9 10 0 476

6922

2 25

exp , ln,

T in KeVm /sec3

1E-27

1E-26

1E-25

1E-24

1E-23

1E-22

1E-21

1E-20

1 10 100 1000

T (keV)

<

v>


The tokamakThe tokamak

The tokamak works like a transformer. a current ramp in the primary circuit generates a constant current (plasma) as the secondary.

Plasma current

Secondary circuit Toroidal field

Poloidal fieldHelicoidal field

Primary circuitToroidal coils


Tokamak geometryTokamak geometry

Axis:

Toroidal

Poloidal

Radial

Properties:

Elongation

Triangularity

Aspect ratio

= 1/A = a/R

q = aB / RBB / B

= p / (B2 / 20)


Magnetic geometriesMagnetic geometries

Limiter Divertor


Tokamak - pulse Tokamak - pulse scenarioscenario

TOKAMAK

pulse

Charge transformer

rapid fall for breakdown

plasma initiated, currentramp up

Ohmic heating+

auxiliary heating

Plateau,

Current ramp down


Power balancePower balance

P n a TR/ 2 1 2

Ions3/2(nTi)

Electrons3/2 (nTe)

Pi,i

Pi,e

Po,i

Po,e

PR

Pi

Po =3n T

E

SOURCES (i) LOSSES (o)

fTD

fTDf

Evn

nnn

EvnnP

22

4

P

Pnneutrons

alphas

Pf

P i , P e ,


Confinement time Confinement time (Break-even)(Break-even)

P P Pi o RP Pi f

nT

v E a TE

f

1

41 2/

Sources = Losses

Break-even when the energy out in the fusion products balances the auxiliary power injected

This determines break-even condition for the ntE product

Q = Pf / Pi = 1


Confinement timeConfinement time(Ignition)(Ignition)

nT

v E a TE

31

41 2/

Pn

v E 2

4

P P Po RFor ignition, the energy in the particles is “recycled” and heats the fresh D and T being injected.

The fusion reaction is then maintained with Pi = 0

Q becomes infinite


Confinement timeConfinement time

1E+19

1E+20

1E+21

1E+22

1E+23

1 10 100 1000

T en keV

nTau

E

Ignition BreakEaven


ResultsResults

From Contemporary Physics Education Projecthttp://FusEdWeb.pppl.gov


JET: THE WORLD’S LARGEST TOKAMAK


Demonstration to Demonstration to datedate

Qin Pfus Pin 0.62

Qin Pfus Pin 0.62

Source: Pamela-Solano, EFDA-JETWatkins, JET

Qtot Pfus Ploss P 0.95

Qtot Pfus Ploss P 0.95

Continuous


ITER : HistoryITER : History

1985 Geneva Summit 1986 start 1988-1990 CDA (Conception)

US-EU(Canada)-J-FR 1990-1992 interim 1992-1998 EDA (Engineering)

US-EU(Canada)-J-FR 1998-2001 EDA 2 (Detailed Engineering )

EU(Canada)-J-FR 2001-2002 CTA (technical, negotiations)

EU-Canada-J-FR 2005 Site selection (Cadarache France) 2006-2016 Construction 2016-2036 Experiment 2036 Decommissioning

Costs8500 M$CAD Construction8500 M$CAD Experiment<1000 M$CAD Decommissioning


ITERITER

Main systems:• Blanket, supports• Divertor plates – up to 20 MW/m2 (1/2-2/3

total plasma power)• Pumping ducts and criopumps, pump

injected D and T, He and impurities• Gas throughput (200 Pa-m3/s) and

pumping speed (~ 100 m3/s) dictate divertor behavior

• SC coils- 13 T• Mechanical loads of 400 ton on internal

components at disruptions• Radial loads of 40,000 tons in each coils


ITER cross-section


ITER : ObjectivesITER : Objectives

Design Reach sustained burn in inductive

mode, Q=10 Significant parameter window Sufficient duration for stationary

plasma (~ hundreds of s)

Target demonstration of continuous operation with Q at least 5

Not exclude the possibility of attaining controlled ignition (Q>>10)

Technology: demonstration of the availability

and the integration of reactor technologies

tests of components, Tests of tritium blankets

=> 300-500s of full current in inductive operations

=> average neutron flux ≥ 0.5 MW/m2

=> average neutron fluence of ≥ 0.3 MWa/m2

auxauxfus PPPPQ 5


ITER : ProgramITER : Program

Operate at Q=10 with significant window in parameters for pulse length consistent with characteristic times.

Operate at high Q for long pulses. Study continuous operation at Q=5 Reach controlled ignition in favorable

conditions


ITER PHYSICS

The ITER Physics program has multiple components and is developed through experiments on today’s tokamaks, and by theory and modeling, and has, as its prime objective, the development of a capability to predict tokamak performance.

Key elements include:

• Understanding the transition between low (L) and high (H) confinement modes: prediction of power needed for L--> H transition

• Prediction of core fusion performance in H mode

• Control and mitigation of MHD instabilities

• Power and particle control

• Development of higher performance operation scenarios

• Identification and understanding of the new physics that will occur under ‘burning plasma’ conditions.


AUG JET

ITER

ITER confinement time

http://www.tokamak.info/


BURNING PLASMA PHYSICS

At Q > 1 have significant self heating due to fusion alphas.

Isotropic energetic population of 3.5 MeV alphas.

Plasma is now an exothermic medium and highly non-linear.

Alpha particles may have strong resonant interaction withAlfven waves.

Ti~ Te since V >> Vi, and m >> me the alphas particlesslow predominantly on the electrons.

Opportunity for unexpected discovery is very high!

Reliable simulation is not possible. Need experiments in the new regime


ITER diagnostics installed in ports where possible

Each diagnostic port-plug contains an integrated instrumentation package


ITER : StatusITER : Status

Construction Construction startedstarted

Procurement well Procurement well underwayunderway

www.iter.org/newsline/issues/current/ITERnewsline.htm

As of 28 February 2009, the ITER Organization employs 356 staff members: 235 professional and 121 support.

All seven Parties are represented amongst the professional staff:

141 originate from the EU,10 from India,19 from Japan,15 from China,16 from Korea,17 from Russia, and17 from the US.


ChallengesChallenges

ModelingModeling MaterialsMaterials

Resistance to thermal loads and chocsResistance to thermal loads and chocs ActivationActivation

T blanketT blanket Breeding ratio > 1Breeding ratio > 1

Remote ManipulationRemote Manipulation AssemblyAssembly MaintenanceMaintenance


Thermonuclear power plantThermonuclear power plant

From « La fusion thermonucléaire, une chance pour l’humanité », J. Ongena, G. Van Oost et Ph. Mertens, 2001

Ideal scenario for replacement of liquid fossil fuel:

Fusion to supply electricity to generate hydrogen for fuel cells.


CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

E=mc2

Nuclear technology

Fission

FUSION


Thank you !

Merci [email protected]

http://claude.emt.inrs.ca

Fusion research in Fusion research in CanadaCanada


Universities

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Toronto

Queen’s

INRS

march 4, 2009 queen's university 1 claude boucher fusion a promising source of energy

Documents

233km2 queens universitymarch

renewable energy sources

ejiea world energy outlookwww

orgworld energy demand

ej462 ejqueens universitymarch

b uranium

renewable resources

solar technologies