JP2003130976A - Nuclear fusion reactor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a nuclear fusion reactor which can construct a heat transport system by using liquid metal lithium as a nuclear fusion source material as a coolant at the same time and which can be made compact as compared with a system using helium gas or water as a coolant. SOLUTION: The nuclear fusion reactor is provided with a fusion reactor 1 and a fusion reactor 3 which induce a nonthermal nuclear fusion reaction when the surface of the nuclear fusion source material such as liquid lithium, boron or the like or an alloy or the like with a metal having a catalytic action to a nuclear fusion reaction is irradiated with a hydrogen ion beam and which generate heat energy at this time, a heat exchanger 5 by which the heat energy generated in the fusion reactors is thermally converted so as to be supplied to a turbine 7 and a circulating pump 4 comprising a circulation passage by which the liquid helium inside the fusion reactors is circulated through the heat exchanger 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is directed to irradiating a surface of a fusion raw material such as liquid lithium or boron, or an alloy with a metal having a catalytic action of a fusion reaction with a hydrogen ion beam. The present invention relates to a nuclear fusion reaction device that induces a thermonuclear fusion reaction and uses energy generated at that time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Up to now, a high density ion / electron plasma sufficient for practical use of nuclear fusion reaction has not been realized. Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has filed a patent application 2001-
[00156] Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-1 for "Method of generating molten lithium fusion reaction and fusion energy supply device" in 00156.
Invented "nuclear fusion power generation method and nuclear fusion power generation device" in 77670, and "non-thermal fusion power generation method and non-thermal fusion power generation device" in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-216026. In these prior inventions, it is possible to achieve the aforementioned high-density ion / electron plasma by existing means,
An example of the configuration of an energy supply device using this is introduced.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the invention of the prior application, the following problems can be considered in practical application.

(1) In the invention of the prior application, helium gas or water is used as the coolant, but in the case of helium gas, the specific heat and the thermal conductivity are smaller than that of the liquid coolant, There is a problem that the equipment including the exchanger becomes large. On the other hand, although application of molten lithium to a coolant is also mentioned as a configuration example, a concrete device concept has not been constructed yet.

(2) In the case of water, it is necessary to raise the temperature in order to use it for power generation, and for that reason, it is necessary to use high-pressure conditions. Therefore, in order to secure the strength, the structural material There is a problem that the plate thickness becomes thick and the equipment becomes large, and when the heat transfer tube is damaged in the core,
There is a problem that liquid lithium, which is a nuclear fusion raw material, reacts violently with water.

(3) Since the cooling of the core portion where heat is generated due to fusion is removed through the heat transfer tubes, the temperature of the core portion becomes higher than the temperature of the coolant, so that There are also issues in securing the strength of structural materials.

(4) In the invention of the prior application, He generated in the apparatus for supplying the fusion energy obtained by the fusion reaction or generated in the fusion reaction and having a very low abundance in nature ³ Although there is a desire to utilize He as a resource, no means for realizing such a demand is known.

(5) In the invention of the prior application, since pressurized helium or pressurized water is used as the refrigerant, there is a problem in that the reactor vessel and the like become thicker and the quantity of the product increases. This problem can be a factor that suppresses the upper limit of the operating temperature due to the relationship between thickening and the allowable stress of the material used, and in that case, the thermal efficiency is also limited. In addition, since heat is transferred from the core to pressurized helium or pressurized water and then steam is generated by the steam generator, there is a possibility that the core temperature has to be raised significantly with respect to the steam temperature.

(6) In addition to (5), molten lithium is chemically active and requires careful handling.
It is necessary to take measures for equipment in case of a leak.

(7) The prior invention is not always sufficient in view of economy and reliability with a simple structure.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. That is,
The first purpose is to construct a heat transport system using liquid metal lithium, which is a fusion material, as a coolant at the same time, and to make the device compact compared to the system using helium gas or water as a coolant. It is to provide a fusion reactor.

A second object is to provide a nuclear fusion reactor capable of utilizing He as a resource.

A third object is to improve the thermal efficiency of power generation,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a nuclear fusion reactor capable of improving safety in the event of an accident.

A fourth object is to provide a nuclear fusion reactor which is extremely simple and highly economical and reliable.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention corresponding to claim 1 is to provide a fusion raw material such as liquid lithium and boron, or a metal having a catalytic action for a fusion reaction. A non-thermal nuclear fusion reaction is induced by irradiating the surface of the alloy, etc. with a hydrogen ion beam, and the thermal energy generated in the nuclear fusion reactor and the thermal energy generated in the nuclear fusion reactor are converted into heat. And a heat converting means for supplying the heat to the heat utilizing means, and a circulation means including a circulation path for circulating liquid lithium in the nuclear fusion reactor to the heat converting means. It is a reactor.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention corresponding to claim 2 is further provided with equipment capable of additionally supplying liquid lithium to the circulation passage of the circulation means. It is a nuclear fusion reactor.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention corresponding to claim 3 is to cool the heat generated by the non-thermonuclear fusion reaction in a system using liquid lithium as a coolant for directly cooling the core, 3. A water / steam system for rotating a turbine as the heat utilization means, wherein the heat conversion means between the liquid metal lithium and water / steam is a heat exchanger. The nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of 1.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention corresponding to claim 4, another independent heat transfer medium system is provided between the liquid lithium system and the water / steam system. 4. The nuclear fusion reactor according to claim 3.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention corresponding to claim 5 is such that the fusion reactor comprises a reactor core and a reactor vessel containing the reactor core, and a gas space between the reactor vessel and the reactor core is provided. A gas exhaust line for pressure control is installed, and the gas exhaust line has a vapor trap for condensing liquid lithium vapor, a hydrogen and lithium hydride trapping device. 4 is a nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of 4.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that a helium gas recovery device is installed on the downstream side of the gas exhaust line. It is a device.

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention according to claim 7, the gas exhaust line is connected to a gas space of a device having a free liquid surface such as the heat exchanger, and the gas of the device is connected. 6. The exhaust of can also be performed.
The nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of 6 above.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention corresponding to claim 8 is characterized in that a liquid lithium system is provided with a liquid lithium purifying device.
The nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of 7 above.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 9 provides a method for forming a fusion raw material such as liquid lithium or boron on the surface of an alloy with a metal having a catalytic action for a fusion reaction. A non-thermal nuclear fusion reaction is induced in the nuclear fusion reactor by inducing a non-thermal nuclear fusion reaction by irradiating a hydrogen ion beam and supplying the heat energy generated at that time to the heat utilization means. And a He extraction means capable of selectively separating He of the produced fusion reaction product and extracting the separated He.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 10 is that the means for selectively separating He in the He extraction means is either a He permeable membrane or a gas-liquid separator. The nuclear fusion reactor according to claim 9.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 11 provides the isotopes of He, ³ He and ⁴ H.
The nuclear fusion reactor according to claim 9, further comprising a mechanism for selectively separating e individually.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 12 further comprises a mechanism for separating hydrogen H used for the generation of the hydrogen ion beam and He as a reaction product. The nuclear fusion reactor according to claim 9.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 13 uses a nozzle separator as a mechanism for selectively separating the ³ He and ⁴ He individually, or hydrogen H and helium He. 13. The fusion reactor according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a nozzle separator is used as a mechanism for selectively separating the.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that a metal having a melting point lowering effect is added to the fusion raw material which is a liquid metal. The nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 15 relates to the fusion raw material, which is formed from fusion raw materials such as lithium and boron instead of the liquid metal. The fusion reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a salt is used.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that a melting salt made of a substance other than the fusion raw material is added to lower the melting point. It is a nuclear fusion reactor.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 17 provides a high heat source loop comprising a pump and a pipe for extracting and circulating heat generated by a fusion reaction by a coolant, the pipe, a circulation pump and a cooling. Fusion reaction characterized by having a low heat source loop consisting of a reactor and a thermoelectric power generation system consisting of a thermoelectric converter that sandwiches a thermoelectric material between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source and connects it to an external load to extract electric power It is a device.

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a nuclear fusion reactor according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> (Configuration) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention. The nuclear fusion reactor of the present invention comprises a nuclear fusion reactor comprising a schematic core 1 and a reactor vessel 3, and a heat exchanger constituting a heat conversion means. In the core 1, lithium and hydrogen undergo a nuclear fusion reaction to generate helium. Liquid metal lithium 2 is used here as a coolant for receiving heat generated in this nuclear fusion.

Liquid metal lithium (liquid lithium) 2 that has received heat generated by nuclear fusion in the core 1 is sent from the reactor vessel 3 to the heat exchanger 5 by the action of the circulation pump 4.

In the heat exchanger 5, the liquid metal lithium 2
Exchanges heat with water / steam flowing in the heat transfer tube 6,
The heat energy received at is transferred to the water / steam system 8 for rotating the heat utilization means, for example the turbine 7.

(Operation) In the first embodiment of the fusion reactor thus constructed, the liquid metal lithium 2 is consumed as the fusion raw material in the core 1, and
In the system in which the heat generated in the core 1 is transferred to the water / steam system 8 via the heat exchanger 5, it functions as a coolant.

(Effects) According to the first embodiment described above, lithium, which is one of the nuclear fusion raw materials in the nuclear fusion reaction of lithium and hydrogen, can be supplied by the liquid metal lithium 2 that is the cooling agent, so that it is special. Equipment for supplying lithium for nuclear fusion is no longer required.

Since the liquid metal lithium 2 having excellent thermal characteristics is used as the coolant, the heat exchanger can be made compact as compared with the case where helium is used as the coolant.

Further, in comparison with the case where water is used as the coolant, in the case of water, it is necessary to increase the pressure in order to obtain the temperature condition of a predetermined high temperature. According to the aspect, since the liquid metal lithium 2 is used as the coolant, the temperature rises as a liquid without increasing the pressure to a high temperature, so that the structure can be thinned.

<Second Embodiment> (Configuration) FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the liquid metal supply facility 10 is provided in the system of the liquid metal lithium 2 that passes through the core 1. This is a device for additionally supplying liquid metal lithium for continued operation because the liquid metal lithium 2 serving as a coolant is consumed as a nuclear fusion raw material by the nuclear fusion. The decrease of the liquid metal lithium can be grasped by the decrease of the free liquid level 11 of the liquid metal lithium in the furnace vessel 3 or the free liquid level 12 in the heat exchanger 5, and the change in these liquid levels can be measured by the level gauge 13 To 14 are measured.

(Operation) As described above, by configuring the second embodiment, it is possible to grasp the consumption of the liquid metal lithium 2 consumed by the nuclear fusion and additionally provide the liquid metal lithium as necessary. It will be possible.

(Effects) According to the second embodiment described above, the required amount of liquid metal lithium, which also serves as the fusion raw material and the cooling material of the fusion reactor, can be constantly supplied, and the device can be continuously operated. Enables driving.

<Third Embodiment> (Structure) In the third embodiment, as already shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two systems of the liquid metal lithium 2 and the water / steam system 8 are used.
A heat transport system for rotating the turbine 7 by the heat of nuclear fusion is used, and the heat exchanger 5 between the liquid metal lithium 2 system and the water / steam system 8 uses, for example, a shell and tube heat exchanger. is doing.

(Functions and Effects) With the configuration of the third embodiment, the device including the heat exchanger 5 can be made compact.

<Fourth Embodiment> (Structure) FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the schematic structure of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

In the present embodiment, in comparison with the configuration of FIG. 2, water / water containing a liquid lithium system and a turbine passing through a fusion reactor is used.
An intermediate cooling system 18 is added between the steam system 8.

(Operation) As described above, the intermediate cooling system 18 uses liquid metal as a fluid, receives heat from the liquid lithium system by the intermediate heat exchanger 16, and receives this heat from the steam generator 15
Is transmitted to the water / steam system 8.

(Effect) With the configuration of the fourth embodiment, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 2, when the heat transfer tube 6 of the heat exchanger 5 is damaged, the liquid metal lithium 2 and water are separated. While there is a possibility that the reaction will occur violently and the reaction product may flow into the core 1, etc., in the case of the present embodiment, water /
Since another system exists between the steam system 8 and the liquid lithium system flowing in the core 1, even if the heat transfer tube is broken in the steam generator 16, the reaction product is prevented from reaching the core 1. It is possible to improve reliability.

<Fifth Embodiment> (Structure) FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a schematic structure of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, a gas exhaust line including a vapor trap 19, a hydrogen trap (hydrogen getter) 21 and a vacuum pump 22 is connected to the cover gas space 25 of the furnace vessel 3.

The exhaust line is also connected to the cover gas space 26 of the heat exchanger 5, and is configured to reach the hydrogen trap 21 and the vacuum pump 22 via the vapor trap 20. Further, in this embodiment, a helium gas recovery device 23 is installed on the downstream side of the vacuum pump 22. A liquid metal lithium refining device is installed in the liquid metal lithium system. In addition, 24 is a liquid metal separation device (action) in the fifth embodiment configured in this way,
First, the gas exhaust line connected to the cover gas space 25 of the furnace vessel 3 is for exhausting the cover gas to bring the cover gas pressure of the furnace vessel to a substantially vacuum state. By installing the, the vapor of the liquid metal lithium is condensed in the vapor trap 19,
It is possible to prevent the liquid metal lithium from flowing into the downstream thereof.

The hydrogen trap 21 prevents hydrogen, which is a nuclear fusion raw material, from flowing out of the system. Further, the helium gas recovery device 23 is for recovering the helium gas generated by nuclear fusion. Furthermore, by connecting this gas exhaust line to the cover gas space 26 of the heat exchanger 5, the cover gas pressure of the heat exchanger 5 can also be maintained in a substantially vacuum state.

(Effects) With the configuration as in the fifth embodiment, it is possible to construct an almost vacuum state required for the nuclear fusion reaction, and also to exhaust liquid gas such as liquid metal lithium for the purpose. It is possible to prevent the substance from flowing out of the system.

<Sixth Embodiment> (Structure) FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a schematic structure of a sixth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a nuclear fusion reactor (nuclear fusion reactor) 01 for carrying out the present invention. The cathode 02, the anode 03, the molten lithium 04, the molten lithium supply port 05,
Molten lithium discharge port 06, hydrogen, deuterium gas supply port 0
7, hydrogen, deuterium gas exhaust port 08, insulator 09, power supply 0
10, membrane 011, He permeable membrane 012, He recovery line 0
It is composed of 13.

(Operation) In the sixth embodiment having the above-mentioned structure, hydrogen cations generated by discharge pass through the film 011 and have an electron shielding effect and an effect of increasing cohesive force between atomic nuclei in molten metal. Thus, the fusion reaction of the molten lithium 04 and the following nuclear reaction equations (1) and (2) occurs.

[0058] ^{6 Li + 1 H → 3 He} + 4 He + 4.0MeV (1) 7 Li + 1 H → 2 4 He + 17.3MeV (2) Select the He occurring in the fusion reaction in He permeable membrane 012 And then recovered in the He recovery line 013. Note that as the film 011 it is possible to use a Ni film of about 1 μm that allows hydrogen ions to pass therethrough and maintains its strength.

Further, in the sixth embodiment, molten lithium on the cathode 02 side is assumed, but a slight reaction occurs even if substitution is made on the anode 03 side and positive hydrogen ions are injected.

Further, by grounding the cathode 02, it is safe because electric charges are not unnecessarily accumulated in the device.

(Effect) According to the sixth embodiment, He generated in the nuclear fusion reaction can be recovered, so that He can be utilized as a resource.

<Seventh Embodiment> (Structure) FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the schematic structure of a seventh embodiment according to the present invention.

Description of the same numbers as in FIG. 5 is omitted. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a nuclear fusion reaction device for carrying out the present invention, in which a gas-liquid separator 021 is provided.

(Operation) He produced by the fusion reaction is converted into He from molten lithium containing He by the gas-liquid separator 021.
Is selectively separated and recovered in the He recovery line 013.

(Effect) According to the seventh embodiment, He generated in the nuclear fusion reaction can be recovered, so that He can be utilized as a resource.

<Eighth Embodiment> (Structure, Function) FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a schematic structure of an eighth embodiment according to the present invention.

Description of the same numbers as in FIG. 5 is omitted. Figure 7 is a schematic view of a nuclear fusion reactor 01 for carrying out the present invention, mechanism 031 to separate the ³ He and ⁴ He in He recovery line 013 individually selectively is ^provided, 3 He
Each recovery line 032 and ⁴ He recovery line 33 ³
He and ⁴ He are collected separately. In this embodiment, a gas-liquid separator may be used instead of the He permeable membrane 012.

(Effect) According to the eighth embodiment, since ³ He and ⁴ He produced in the nuclear fusion reactions (1) and (2) can be individually recovered, they are naturally contained in He isotopes. ³ He, which has a low abundance ratio, can be utilized as a resource.

<Ninth Embodiment> (Structure, Function) FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the schematic structure of a ninth embodiment according to the present invention.

Description of the same numbers as in FIG. 5 is omitted. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a nuclear fusion reactor 01 for carrying out the present invention, in which a mechanism 041 for separating H and He is provided at a hydrogen / deuterium gas exhaust port 8, and He is a He recovery line 0.
Recovered at 42.

(Effect) According to the ninth embodiment, since He in hydrogen and deuterium gas can be recovered, He can be utilized as a resource. In particular, the nuclear fusion reactions (1) and (2) are considered to actively occur in molten lithium near the film 011 and hydrogen and deuterium gas also contain a considerable amount of He.

Needless to say, a larger amount of He can be recovered by combining the sixth and seventh embodiments described above.

Further, ³ He was added to the He recovery line 042.
By providing a mechanism (not shown) for selectively separating ⁴ He individually, ³ He having a low abundance ratio in nature can be recovered.

A nozzle separator can be used as the mechanism 031 for selectively separating ³ He and ⁴ He individually and the mechanism 041 for separating H and He.

<Tenth Embodiment> (Structure) FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the schematic structure of a tenth embodiment according to the present invention.

Description of the same numbers as in FIG. 4 is omitted. The vapor trap 1 is placed in the cover gas space 25 of the furnace vessel 3.
9, a gas exhaust line including a hydrogen trap 21 and a vacuum pump 22 is connected. The exhaust line is also connected to the cover gas space 26 of the heat exchanger 5, and is configured to reach the hydrogen trap 21 and the vacuum pump 22 via the vapor trap 20. As the hydrogen trap 21, for example, a cryopump can be considered.

Further, in this embodiment, the vacuum
A helium gas recovery device 23 is installed on the downstream side of the pump 22.
is doing. As the configuration of this helium gas recovery device 23
Is ^FourWith He^ThreeA He separation device 27,^FourHe recovery device
29,^ThreeA vacuum pump composed of a He recovery device 30.
22 is connected to the separating device 27,^FourH
e Recovery device 29,^ThreeHe recovery device 30 is connected
It^FourWith He^ThreeAs the He separation device 27, for example, diffusion
Membranes are considered.

A liquid metal lithium refining device is installed in the liquid metal lithium system.

(Operation) In the apparatus configured as described above, first, the gas exhaust line connected to the cover gas space 25 of the furnace vessel 3 exhausts the cover gas, and the cover gas pressure of the furnace vessel is set to a substantially vacuum state. However, by installing the vapor trap 19 in this line,
The vapor of the liquid metal lithium can be condensed in the vapor trap 19 and the liquid metal lithium can be prevented from flowing into the vapor trap 19 downstream.

In the hydrogen trap 21, the nuclear fusion raw material is used.
It prevents the substance hydrogen from flowing out of the system and
Separation of helium gas produced by coalescence from hydrogen gas
be able to. In addition, the helium gas recovery device 23
Lithium gas can be recovered.^FourWith He^ThreeHe's
The separation device 27 can separate helium gas having different mass.
And you can^FourHe recovery device 25^ThreeHe recovery device 2
6 is each^FourWith He ^ThreeHe can be recovered.

Further, the gas exhaust line is connected to the heat exchanger 5.
By connecting to the cover gas space 26, the cover gas pressure of the heat exchanger can be maintained in a substantially vacuum state.

(Effect) According to the tenth embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to establish a substantially vacuum state necessary for the fusion reaction, and the liquid metal lithium or the like can be constructed by exhausting gas for that purpose. The substance can be prevented from flowing out of the system. In addition, the helium gas generated by nuclear fusion can be used as a resource, and ³ He, which has a low abundance in nature, can be selectively recovered.

<Eleventh Embodiment> (Structure) FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the schematic structure of an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flow sheet of a thermoelectric power generation system, in which a molten lithium coolant superheated by a fusion reaction from a reactor vessel (reaction vessel) 3 constituting a nuclear fusion reactor is connected to a thermoelectric element (through a pipe 101). The thermoelectric substance) 105 is guided to the high temperature part 103, and after heating the high temperature part 103, it is guided to the pipe 101 by the circulation pump 4, and the circulation pump 4 forms a primary system circulation loop that returns to the furnace vessel 3.

On the other hand, a secondary system heat removal loop for cooling and removing the low temperature portion 104 of the thermoelectric element 105 is constituted by the pipe 106, the circulation pump 107 and the heat dissipation device 108. The thermoelectric element 105 is closely contacted between the high temperature portion 103 and the low temperature portion 104 of the thermoelectric element 105, and the high temperature portion 103 and the low temperature portion 1
Electricity is generated due to the temperature difference with 04. That is, heat energy is directly converted into electric energy. The generated electrical energy is supplied to the load by the cable 109.

According to the eleventh embodiment, since heat energy can be directly converted into electric energy, an extremely simple power generation system can be realized, and a fusion energy supply device with high economical efficiency and reliability can be provided. .

<Twelfth Embodiment> (Structure) FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the schematic structure of a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. The inside of the furnace vessel 3 is filled with a coolant 28, and the core 1 is formed therein. Electrodes, hydrogen, deuterium supply ports, etc. are built inside the core 1, and the coolant 28 flows into and out of the core 1 from the inside of the reactor vessel 3. The coolant 28 is an alloy such as molten lithium and sodium. The furnace vessel 3 and the heat exchanger (steam generator) 5 are 1
Connected by secondary main pipes 44a and 44b, and primary primary pipe 44b
Is provided with a primary main circulation pump 45. A lithium refining / supply system 46 is connected to the primary main pipe 44b.

On the other hand, a vacuum pump 22 is connected from the upper part of the furnace container 3 and the heat exchanger 5 via a vapor trap 20 and a hydrogen trap (hydrogen getter) 21, and the outlet side of the vacuum pump 22 is connected to a helium tank 50. Connected. Each of the above-mentioned devices 3, 5, 19, 20, 21, 22, 44
All of a, 44b, 45, 46, and 50 are installed in the storage container 51.

FIG. 11 shows a form in which fusion energy is used for power generation by a steam turbine. A turbine generator 52 and a condenser 5 installed outside the containment vessel 51 are shown.
3, the condensate pump 54, the feed water pump 55, the deaerator 56, the feed water heaters 57a, 57b, and the like have the same configuration as a normal steam engine.

(Operation) The operation of the twelfth embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

Inside the reactor core 1, a nuclear fusion reaction occurs between the lithium of the coolant 28 and the injected hydrogen ions, and the temperature of the coolant 28 rises. The coolant 28 whose temperature has risen is guided to the steam generator 5, generates steam, becomes a low temperature, is pressurized by the primary main circulation pump 45, and returns to the furnace vessel 3. The steam generated by the steam generator 5 is guided to the turbine generator 52 and used for power generation.

In the nuclear fusion reaction, lithium is consumed and helium is produced. A lithium purification / supply system 56 is installed to supply the consumed lithium and control the purity of the coolant 28. Helium is stored in the helium tank 50 after removing lithium vapor by the vapor trap 20 and hydrogen by the hydrogen getter 21.

Here, the vacuum pump 22 has a function of guiding helium to the helium tank 50 and a function of keeping the inside of the furnace container 3 in vacuum in order to accelerate hydrogen ions in the core 1.

(Effect) According to the twelfth embodiment, the coolant 28 also serves as fuel, and heat is directly exchanged with water / steam in the steam generator 5.
It is possible to reduce the temperature difference between the steam and the coolant (that is, the core). As a result, if the core temperature is kept constant, the steam temperature can be made higher than in the conventional example, and the plant thermal efficiency can be improved.

The liquid alloy is a liquid under normal pressure up to a high temperature (sodium boiling point is 880 ° C., lithium is about 160 ° C.).
Since it is 0 ° C), there is no need to thicken the reactor vessel,
The quantity is reduced. In addition, the melting point is lowered from 179 ° C. by about 10 ° C. by adding sodium to lithium. This eliminates the need for measures such as excessively raising the water supply temperature. Other than sodium, zinc or the like can be used to lower the melting point of lithium, and these can be applied.

<Thirteenth Embodiment> (Structure, Function) FIG. 12 is a view for explaining the schematic structure of a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. The structure and operation of the thirteenth embodiment are basically the same as those of the twelfth embodiment, but are characterized in that the liquid metal of the coolant 28 is a molten salt such as a halide of lithium or a carbonate. is there. Reference numeral 41 is a fuel / helium separator, and yes 50 is a helium tank.

The molten salt basically has cations and anions as its constituent particles and has a strong binding force due to Coulomb interaction. Therefore, the molten salt is a liquid that is chemically stable up to a high temperature, has a large specific heat and a low vapor pressure. It has the characteristics of. From this chemical stability, for example, if liquid metal lithium is used at the time of leakage, a liner is laid to prevent reaction with concrete, atmosphere is adjusted to prevent reaction with air, etc. Measures are greatly reduced.

In the nuclear fusion reaction of the present invention, lithium is consumed as a fuel and converted into helium, so that along with the reaction, halogen gas, carbon dioxide gas and the like which have formed a molten salt together with helium are liberated. These must be collected by a vacuum pump (not shown) and stored in the helium tank 50, or separated by the fuel / helium separator 41 and collected in another tank.

<Thirteenth Embodiment> (Structure, Function) The structure and function of the thirteenth embodiment are as follows:
Although it is basically the same as the second embodiment, a mixed salt melt is prepared by adding not only lithium but also halides, carbonates, etc. of other metals such as sodium to the molten salt used as the coolant 28. It is characterized by.

The melting point of the molten salt is generally high, and is about 610 ° C. in the case of lithium chloride (LiCl). On the other hand, for example, about 5% sodium chloride is added to lithium chloride.
In the mixed salt melt mixed at 9:41, the melting point is 200 ° C.
To some extent.

(Effect) In the thirteenth embodiment described above,
Since the molten salt is used as the coolant, the use of the mixed salt melt in this way can suppress the temperature rise and can alleviate the restrictions on the structure / material and the system.

<Fourteenth Embodiment> (Structure, Function) FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the schematic structure of a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, in the nuclear fusion reactor, liquid lithium is injected into the bottom surface side inside a reaction container 67 that can be evacuated.

The reaction vessel 67 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is provided in the insulating plate 63 at this opening. Reaction vessel 67
A cylindrical cathode 62 is provided inside, and the lower end of the cathode 62 is in contact with the liquid lithium 69 in the reaction vessel 67. As a result, liquid lithium is soaked into the cathode 62. A cylindrical anode 61 penetrates through the center of the insulating plate 63 and is arranged in the reaction vessel 67 at the center of the cathode 62.

A thermoelectric element 70 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the reaction vessel 67.
The low heat source 71 is disposed via the, and the thermoelectric element 70 is connected to the power transmission line 72. The reaction vessel 67 has an internal He
A He recovery device 66 is provided so as to recover, and specifically, a pipe included in the He recovery device 66 penetrates the insulating plate 63. Furthermore, the reaction container 67 is provided with a lithium measurement purification system 75 for measuring and purifying the liquid lithium 69 inside.

On the other hand, the secondary system heat removal loop for cooling and removing the low temperature part of the thermoelectric element 70 is constituted by the pipe 73, the circulation pump 75 and the cooler 74.

If a pulse discharge is performed by the pulse power supply device 64 connected between the cathode 62 and the anode 61 and the hydrogen gas supplied by the hydrogen injection device 65 provided in the upper part of the reaction vessel 67, the buffer region fusion reaction Occurs, and the thermal energy generated at this time is converted into electrical energy by the thermoelectric element 70 and supplied to the load via the power transmission line 72. At this time, the state of lithium is monitored by the lithium measurement purification system 75, and stable long-term operation can be performed. In addition, the helium and the like generated as a result of the nuclear fusion reaction are collected by the He recovery device 66.
Is excluded from the system.

[0106]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a nuclear fusion reactor capable of obtaining the following effects.

(1) It is possible to construct a heat transport system using liquid metal lithium, which is a fusion raw material, as a coolant at the same time, and to make the apparatus compact as compared with the system using helium gas or water as a coolant. A fusion reactor can be provided.

(2) Since He generated in the nuclear fusion reaction can be recovered, it is possible to provide a nuclear fusion reaction device that can utilize He as a resource. Further, since ³ He can be selectively recovered, ³ He can be utilized as a resource.

(3) It is possible to provide a nuclear fusion reactor capable of improving the thermal efficiency of power generation and the safety in case of an accident or the like.

(4) Since heat energy can be directly converted into electric energy, an extremely simple power generation system can be realized, and a nuclear fusion reactor having high economy and reliability can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a schematic configuration of a nuclear fusion reaction device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Core 2 ... Liquid metal lithium 3 ... Furnace container 4 ... Circulation pump 5 ... Heat exchanger (steam generator) 6 ... Heat transfer tube 7 ... Turbine 8 ... Water / steam system 10 ... Liquid metal supply equipment 11, 12 ... Free Liquid level 15 ... Steam generator 16 ... Intermediate heat exchanger 16 ... Steam generator 18 ... Intermediate cooling system 19 ... Vapor trap 20 ... Vapor trap 21 ... Hydrogen trap (hydrogen getter) 22 ... Vacuum pump 23 ... Helium gas recovery device 24 ... Separator 25 ... Cover gas space 26 ... Cover gas space 27 ... Separator 28 for ⁴ He and ³ He ... Coolant 29 ... ⁴ He recovery device 30 ... ³ He recovery device 33 ... Recovery lines 44a, 44b ... Primary main Piping 45 ... Primary main circulation pump 46 ... Lithium refining / supply system 50 ... Helium tank 51 ... Containment vessel 52 ... Turbine generator 53 ... Condenser 54 ... Condensate pump 55 ... Water supply port 56. Lithium refining / supply system 57a, 57b ... Water heater 61 ... Anode 62 ... Cathode 63 ... Insulation plate 64 ... Pulse power supply device 65 ... Hydrogen injection device 66 ... Recovery device 67 ... Reaction vessel 69 ... Liquid lithium 70 ... Thermoelectric Element 71 ... Low heat source 72 ... Transmission line 72 ... Transmission line 73 ... Piping 74 ... Cooler 75 ... Lithium measurement purification system 75 ... Circulation pump 101 ... Piping 103 ... High temperature part 104 ... Low temperature part 105 ... Thermoelectric element 106 ... Piping 107 Circulation pump 108 Radiator 109 Cable 01 Fusion reactor 02 Cathode 03 Anode 04 Molten lithium 05 Molten lithium supply port 06 Molten lithium discharge port 07 Deuterium gas supply port 08 Deuterium gas Exhaust port 09 ... Insulator 010 ... Power supply 011 ... Membrane 012 ... He permeable membrane 013 ... He recovery line 021 ... Gas-liquid separator 031 ... Mechanism 032 ... Osamu line 041 ... mechanism 042 ... recovery line

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masaaki Inoue             8th Shinsugita Town, Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Ceremony company Toshiba Yokohama office (72) Inventor Ikuo Watanabe             8th Shinsugita Town, Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Ceremony company Toshiba Yokohama office (72) Inventor Hiroshi Shimizu             8th Shinsugita Town, Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Ceremony company Toshiba Yokohama office (72) Inventor Shigeki Maruyama             8th Shinsugita Town, Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Ceremony company Toshiba Yokohama office

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A non-thermal nuclear fusion reaction is induced by irradiating a hydrogen ion beam on the surface of a liquid material for nuclear fusion such as lithium or boron, or an alloy with a metal having a catalytic action for a nuclear fusion reaction. Then, at that time, a fusion reactor that generates heat energy, a heat conversion unit that heat-converts the heat energy generated in the fusion reaction reactor and supplies the heat utilization unit, and a liquid in the fusion reaction reactor. And a circulation means including a circulation path for circulating lithium in the form of heat into the heat conversion means. 2. The nuclear fusion reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a facility capable of additionally supplying liquid lithium to the circulation path of the circulation means. 3. The cooling of the heat generated by the non-thermonuclear fusion reaction is a system using liquid lithium as a coolant for directly cooling the core, and water / steam for rotating a turbine as the heat utilization means. The nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the heat conversion means between the liquid metal lithium and water / steam comprises a heat exchanger. 4. The fusion reactor according to claim 3, wherein another independent heat transfer medium system is provided between the liquid lithium system and the water / steam system. 5. The fusion reactor comprises a reactor core and a reactor vessel containing the reactor core, and a gas exhaust line for pressure control is installed in a gas space between the reactor vessel and the reactor core. The nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the exhaust line has a vapor trap for condensing liquid lithium vapor and a device for capturing hydrogen and lithium hydride. 6. The fusion reactor according to claim 5, wherein a helium gas recovery device is installed on the downstream side of the gas exhaust line. 7. The gas exhaust line is also connected to a gas space of a device having a free liquid surface such as the heat exchanger, so that the gas of the device can be exhausted.
6. The nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of 6. 8. The liquid lithium system is provided with a liquid lithium refining device.
7. The nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of 7. 9. A non-thermal nuclear fusion reaction is induced by irradiating the surface of a fusion raw material such as liquid lithium or boron or an alloy with a metal having a catalytic action for a nuclear fusion reaction with a hydrogen ion beam. Then, a fusion reactor for supplying the heat energy generated at that time to the heat utilization means, and He, which is a fusion reaction product produced by a non-thermal fusion reaction in the fusion reactor, are selectively separated. And a He extraction means capable of extracting the separated He, and a nuclear fusion reactor. 10. The nuclear fusion reactor according to claim 9, wherein the means for selectively separating He of the He extraction means is either a He permeable membrane or a gas-liquid separator. 11. The isotopes of He, ³ He and ⁴ H.
The nuclear fusion reactor according to claim 9, further comprising a mechanism for selectively separating e individually. 12. The fusion reactor according to claim 9, further comprising a mechanism for separating hydrogen H used for the generation of the hydrogen ion beam and He as a reaction product. 13. A nozzle separator is used as a mechanism for selectively separating ³ He and ⁴ He individually, or a nozzle separator is used as a mechanism for selectively separating hydrogen H and helium He. 13. The nuclear fusion reaction device according to claim 11 or 12. 14. The nuclear fusion according to claim 1, wherein a metal having a melting point lowering effect is added to a liquid metal which is the nuclear fusion raw material. Reactor. 15. The molten salt formed from each fusion raw material such as lithium or boron is used in place of the liquid metal as the fusion raw material. The nuclear fusion reactor according to any one of claims. 16. The nuclear fusion reactor according to claim 15, wherein a melting salt made of a substance other than the nuclear fusion raw material is added to lower the melting point. 17. A high heat source loop composed of a pump and piping for extracting and circulating heat generated by a fusion reaction by a coolant, a low heat source loop composed of piping, a circulation pump and a cooler, and a high temperature heat source and a low temperature heat source. A fusion reactor comprising a thermoelectric power generation system composed of a thermoelectric converter for sandwiching a thermoelectric substance and connecting it to an external load to extract electric power.