WO2001039202A2 - Materiaux pour ameliorer les reactions de cavitation nucleaires et leurs procedes de fabrication - Google Patents

Materiaux pour ameliorer les reactions de cavitation nucleaires et leurs procedes de fabrication Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001039202A2
WO2001039202A2 PCT/US2000/031769 US0031769W WO0139202A2 WO 2001039202 A2 WO2001039202 A2 WO 2001039202A2 US 0031769 W US0031769 W US 0031769W WO 0139202 A2 WO0139202 A2 WO 0139202A2
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Prior art keywords
core
fuel
mateπal
arrangement
host
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PCT/US2000/031769
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WO2001039202A3 (fr
Inventor
Ross Tessien
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Impulse Devices, Inc.
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Priority to AU30729/01A priority Critical patent/AU3072901A/en
Publication of WO2001039202A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001039202A2/fr
Publication of WO2001039202A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001039202A3/fr

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21B—FUSION REACTORS
    • G21B3/00—Low temperature nuclear fusion reactors, e.g. alleged cold fusion reactors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C1/00—Reactor types
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/10—Nuclear fusion reactors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to materials for enhancing cavitation reactions and, more particularly to materials for enhancing nuclear cavitation reactions and related nuclear reactions and to processes for making the materials.
  • Cavitation is a well known phenomena in which small bubbles are formed and subsequently caused to expand and collapse through the application of acoustic energy.
  • the appropriately driven collapsing bubble causes a shock wave to be formed ahead of the collapsing bubble wall, resulting in a rapid increase in the temperature and the pressure within the bubble. If a sufficient temperature is reached, the bubble will briefly emit radiation, the spectrum of which is dependent upon the bubble temperature as well as the gas or gases within the bubble.
  • the conversion of acoustic energy to optical energy is commonly referred to as sonoluminescence. Numerous theories have been developed to explain the sonoluminescence phenomenon, although to date none of the theories appear adequate. Regardless of the theory, it is well agreed that extremely high bubble temperatures can be reached. Estimates place bubble temperatures between 10,000 and 1,000,000 degrees Kelvin. Under appropriate conditions, the collapsing bubble can yield temperatures that are sufficient to drive fusion reactions.
  • a reactor core includes a host mate ⁇ al with a fuel matenal interspersed therein
  • the host material has a higher acoustic impedance than the fuel mate ⁇ al
  • Acoustic energy applied to the reactor core at or near the resonance ficqucncy of the core is refracted and concentrated in the fuel material thereby causing cavitation withm the fuel mate ⁇ al, and thereby preferentially forming microcavities in contact with the fuel material
  • Acoustic energy is applied to the core using various techniques, such as by coupling piezoelect ⁇ c crystals to the solid core or by driving cavitation m a liquid medium surrounding the core The temperatures attained
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a nuclear reactor system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a developing pressure wave intensity pattern within a CNR
  • Figure 3 illustrates a reactor system including a chamber filled with a liquid host medium surrounding a reactor structure
  • Figure 4 illustrates an example of a d ⁇ ving circuit of Figure 3
  • Figure 5 illustrates several CNR configurations
  • Figure 6 is an illustration of an acoustic driver utilizing one or more streams of particles
  • Figure 7 is an illustration of an acoustic dnver similar to that shown m
  • FIG 8 is an illustration of an acoustic d ⁇ ver utilizing a jet of liquid droplets
  • Figure 9 is an illustration of a microwave d ⁇ ver
  • Figure 10 is an illustration of a CNR that includes an inner core region surrounded by an outer shell
  • Figure 11 illustrates a cross section (spherical or cylindrical) of a reactor wherein the density of fuel particles decreases with increasing distance from the center of the reactor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a reactor system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • CNR solid cavitation reactor
  • At the core of system 100 is a solid cavitation reactor (hereinafter, CNR) 101 within which one or more desired reactions, e.g., fusion reactions, chemical reactions, etc., take place.
  • CNR 101 is comprised principally of a solid material that may or may not include a means for heat removal (e.g., cooling jacket, heat pipes, etc.).
  • Acoustic energy from a source 103 is coupled to CNR 101 via one or more drivers 105.
  • CNR 101 is held by one or more support members 107 that are preferably designed to have minimal impact on the energy patterns within CNR 101.
  • acoustic energy is coupled to CNR 101 through drivers 105.
  • the acoustic energy from drivers 105 results in a pressure intensity pattern within CNR 101.
  • the exact characteristics of the intensity pattern are dependent upon, among other factors, the size, shape, and material(s) comprising CNR 101; the number, design, and locations of drivers 105; the frequency of source 103; and the mechanical and thermal history of CNR 101 (e.g., how long CNR 101 has been in operation, the locations of previously formed cavities, etc.).
  • the intensity pattern As a result of the intensity pattern, at numerous locations within CNR 101 the energy is high enough to form small cavities or “bubbles" within solid material, the “bubbles” being between about 0.1 and about 100 micrometers in diameter depending on the material(s) used. Due to the cavitation phenomena, the applied acoustic energy causes the newly formed bubbles to oscillate. During oscillation, the bubbles first expand and then collapse. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spherically converging material associated with the collapse process attains supersonic velocities, thus leading to a density and temperature in excess of that required to drive the desired reaction, e.g., the desired nuclear reaction(s) or desired chemical catalytic reaction(s).
  • the desired reaction e.g., the desired nuclear reaction(s) or desired chemical catalytic reaction(s).
  • Temperatures attained are typically between about 10,000°K and about 1 ,000,000°K or greater.
  • the bubbles or cavities repetitively undergo the expansion/collapse cycles. It should be understood, however, that under the appropriate conditions, e.g., sufficient input energy, appropriate fuel, etc., a single collapse cycle for a given bubble is sufficient to cause the desired reaction to take place within that bubble.
  • the pressure intensity pattern within the CNR is dependent upon a variety of geometrical, topographic, topological, material and driver characteristics. Accordingly, a variety of pressure intensity patterns can be created within the reactor. For example, in a CNR having a spherical geometry as illustrated in Figure 2, if CNR 201 is driven by a driver 203 at a frequency that is greater than the resonant frequency of the reactor, a pressure intensity pattern develops in which pressure anti- nodes exist throughout the reactor. These anti-nodes, two of which are shown in Figure 2 at a pair of locations 205, occur where there is a convergence of acoustic energy (i.e., basically the phenomena of constructive interference in three dimensions).
  • CNR 201 can be coupled to a driver 207 operating at the resonant frequency of the reactor or, at harmonics or sub-harmonics of the resonant frequency. Due to the resonance of the structure, the strongest pressure anti-node will exist at the center of CNR 201 at a location 209 with the intensity of the pressure anti-nodes decreasing with increasing distance from the center of the reactor.
  • the CNR may be comprised of two or more individual structures such as an inner sphere 211 of one material composition surrounded by an outer shell 213 of another material composition.
  • driver 215 can either drive the reactor at the resonant frequency, or some integer multiple thereof, or it can .drive the reactor at a non-resonant frequency.
  • the reactor can be coupled to a single driver or to multiple drivers. Note that if multiple drivers are used they need not operate at the same frequency.
  • each driver can be designed to operate at the resonant frequency of one of the individual structures.
  • the CNR includes a reactor structure 265 in a reactor chamber 255 which is filled, at least in part, with a liquid 260.
  • nuclear reactor system 250 includes reactor chamber 255 filled with a liquid 260.
  • chamber 255 is a glass flask, but may be made of any material, such as a metal or ceramic composition, that allows the liquid 260 to be pressurized to a static pressure different from the ambient static pressure.
  • reactor structure 265 is a disk, but any other geometry can be used, e.g., spherical, cylindrical, planar, etc., as desired.
  • liquid 260 is heavy water (including deuterium (D) and/or tritium (T)) and reactor structure 265 is a disk 265 comprised primarily of gadolinium loaded with deuterium, e.g., by electrolysis in a deuterium environment, by heating in a deuterium gas environment, etc.
  • the gadolinium reactor structure is loaded with deuterium in a D 2 0 environment using electrolysis run at 60V using a platinum anode 267.
  • structure 265 can be loaded with fuel using electrolysis and cavitation. It will be apparent that other liquids, and other reactor structures including any other host material loaded with a fuel material, as desired for the desired reaction can be used as will be described in more detail below.
  • a pulsed acoustic shock wave is introduced into liquid 260 using acoustic hom 270.
  • Driving elements 275 couple acoustic energy to the hom 270.
  • driving _elements_275 include piezoelectric crystals coupled to a driving circuit 280 that applies a voltage waveform to the piezoelectric crystals.
  • the voltage level and driving frequency is set with a waveform generator 285.
  • RF amplifier 290 provides amplification for the generated waveform.
  • waveform generator 285 is an ETC model M321 waveform generator
  • RF amplifier 290 is a ENI model 2100L RF amplifier.
  • An example of a useful driving circuit is shown in Figure 4.
  • Oscilloscope 295 is provided to measure the voltage and current applied to the piezocrystals.
  • Horn 270 is preferably made of titanium, but any other rigid material can be used. Additionally, as shown, thin steel plates 277 can be used to make the connection between the piezocrystal 275 and horn 270. Copper wires 282 support the system while minimizing acoustic damping. When the voltage and current are in phase, the hom will be in resonance. By adjusting the voltage and current, it is possible to fine tune the acoustic horn so that the resonant frequency of the hom matches the resonance of liquid- filled chamber 255.
  • the resonant frequency can be found by dividing the speed of sound in the material by the diameter of the sphere as follows: where f r is the resonant frequency, c m is the speed of sound in the material and d is the diameter of the spherical structure (e.g., spherical chamber, spherical reactor). For a liquid-filled spherical glass chamber, c is the speed of sound in the liquid and d is the diameter of the chamber. Glass will generally cause the actual resonant frequency to be about 10% higher.
  • the resonance can be measured empirically by fixing a piezocrystal to the side of the chamber to act as a microphone. Observing the voltage across this piezocrystal while driving different frequencies with the driver horn will yield the chamber's resonant frequency.
  • the resonant frequency for a solid sphere can be calculated in the same manner by dividing the speed of sound in the material by the diameter of the sphere. For example, for a two inch diameter titanium sphere, the resonant frequency is about lOOKHz. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that other geometries and topologies may be used, with appropriate changes in the formulas for determining resonance frequencies as are well known.
  • antinodes are preferentially focused in the vicinity of reactor structure 265 so that bubbles in liquid 260 will cavitate and collapse on reactor structure 265.
  • the cavitation and collapse of bubbles on reactor structure 265 will drive acoustic energy into reactor structure 265. It is therefore possible to drive secondary cavitation reactions within reactor structure 265 with the appropriate selection of materials and dimensions of the reactor structure 265 relative to chamber 255, with an antinode distribution dependent upon the material(s) and geometry of reactor structure 265.
  • the cavitating and collapsing bubbles therefore, act as a driving mechanism for driving acoustic energy into reactor structure 265.
  • a CNR e.g., CNR 101
  • CNR 201 or reactor structure 265 in a liquid-filled chamber 255) can utilize any of a variety of different shapes.
  • CNR 101 can have a spherical shape 301, a cylindrical shape 303, a conical shape 304, a rectangular shape 305, or an inegular shape 307
  • a CNR in accordance with the present invention can also utilize one or more hollow portions 309, which penetrate through the reactor core, preferably for use with a liquid coolant thus providing improved cooling and heat extraction
  • Such a structure, with one hole is known in mathematics as a non-simple topology, or, a topology having one handle Examples of such configurations include a cylinder 31 1, a donut-shaped CNR 313, and a rectangular shape 315
  • the size and shape of a CNR are primarily determined by the available acoustic energy, the number of drivers
  • the CNR (e g , solid CNR 101 or reactor structure 265) is operated in a mode designed to achieve a gradient in the intensity of the pressure anti-nodes with the intensity of the pressure anti-nodes decreasing with increasing distance from the center of the reactor
  • a benefit of a gradient CNR configuration (hereafter referred to as a GCNR) is to provide a relatively strong outer shell in which the mechanical stresses are at a minimum, thereby keeping the reactor intact for an extended penod of time
  • a reactor that is not operated utilizing the intensity gradient configuration, e g , CNR 201 will form cavities through the volume, including at or near the surface of the reactor, leading to relatively rapid reactor failure p ⁇ ma ⁇ ly due to matenal fatigue fractures similar to those observed m materials subjected to ultrasonic radiation for extended pe ⁇ ods of time
  • the GCNR design provides nuclear radiation shielding
  • one or more radioactive by-products can be formed Therefore by dnving nuclear reactions near the center of the reactor and minimizing or eliminating nuclear reactions from occur ⁇ ng near the reactor's extenor surface, the outer layer of the reactor will provide radiation shielding, the efficiency of which depends upon the radioactive byproducts formed as well as the thickness and mate ⁇ al of the outer layer
  • the reactor can be d ⁇ ven (directly or via secondary cavitation effects) at the resonant frequency, or an integer multiple thereof, resulting in a gradient in the intensity of the pressure anti-nodes
  • the maximum pressure anti-node intensity is at the center of the reactor and decreases with increasing distance from the center of the reactor.
  • the gradient can be achieved in the number, rather than the intensity, of the pressure anti- nodes.
  • the highest density of pressure anti-nodes is located near the center of the reactor, with the density decreasing with increasing distance from the center of the reactor.
  • the composition of the reactor can be varied in such a manner as to achieve a GCNR. For example, a fuel material having a low acoustic impedance can be loaded into a host material having a high acoustic impedance such that the fuel material density is highest at the center of the reactor, decreasing with increasing distance from the center of the reactor.
  • Figure 1 1 illustrates a cross section (spherical or cylindrical) of a reactor, according to one embodiment, wherein the density of fuel particles decreases as the distance from the center increases (i.e. increasing r).
  • the density profile of fuel material can be uniform throughout or it can be increasing with increasing distance from the center of the reactor, as desired.
  • suitable fuel and host material combinations include, but are not limited to, gadolinium deuteride (GdD2) and tungsten (W), lithium deuteride (LiD) and W, LiD and Gd, deuterium (D) and titanium (Ti), and D and lead(Pd).
  • the host material has a high thermal conductivity and a high sound speed thus promoting high shock wave velocities and the attendant generation of high temperatures.
  • the host material is a metal.
  • the CNR is fabricated from titanium, tungsten, or gadolinium, although a variety of other host materials can be used such as cadmium, molybdenum, rhenium, and osmium.
  • Additional host materials include europium, tantalum, uranium, boron, iridium, Plutonium, Samarium, Platinum, Thorium, chromium, niobium, ruthenium, dysprosium, mercury, cobalt and gold.
  • the proper reactants e.g., nuclear fuels
  • the CNR e.g., CNR 101 or reactor structure 265.
  • a variety of well known metallurgical techniques can be used to load the reactants, thus only brief descriptions are provided herein.
  • Powder metallurgy is one technique by which the desired reactants are loaded into the host lattice structure material comprising the CNR.
  • a powder of a fuel reactant e.g., LiD, LiT, CdD, CdT, GdD2 or GdT2
  • a powder of the host material e.g., Ti, W, Os, Mo, Gd
  • the powders include particles having diameters in the range of about 1 to about 100 micrometers, more preferably in the range of about .1 to about 1 micrometers, and even more preferably in the range of about 1 to about 100 nanometers, or even smaller.
  • Host material particles are preferably as small as possible, e.g., nanophase powders, but commercially available sizes are adequate and will reduce costs.
  • powder metallurgy provides an easy technique for controlling both the concentration and placement of the reactants within the host material lattice of the CNR.
  • Another technique for loading reactants is to bubble the desired reactant, for example deuterium, into the melted host material. After the host material is loaded with the reactant, it is either cast or drawn into the desired shape. If necessary, the cast or drawn material can be further shaped by machining.
  • Yet another technique for loading reactants is to expose the host material to a high pressure gas of the desired reactant in a deuterium furnace.
  • a titanium or tungsten host material can be exposed to high pressure deuterium using this technique.
  • a source of a high pressure gas of deuterium or other reactant can be attached to a host material which is then placed within a furnace.
  • the reactant e.g., deuterium
  • the reactant will flow through the metal lattice, particularly if the host material is in the form of a drawn bar.
  • the host material is machined into the desired reactor shape.
  • reactant loading is improved by loading at a high temperature or by using a glow discharge to ionize the reactant and break-up the molecules into free atoms that can more easily penetrate into the rrietal lattice.
  • Yet other techniques for loading reactants include electrolysis and cavitation.
  • the reactants By performing electrolysis and/or cavitation on the exterior surface of the host material, the reactants can be driven into the interior. Migration of the reactants through the host material typically follows imperfections in the grain structure. For example, using the arrangement shown in Figure 3, a reactor structure can be loaded with deuterium through electrolysis in a deuterium environment such as heavy water.
  • secondary cavitation effects as described above provide a technique for creating microcavities and loading deuterium into a reactor structure in heavy water.
  • the loaded reactor is placed in a vacuum oven or in an oven utilizing a high pressure inert gas such as argon.
  • Inert gases e.g., argon, do not readily penetrate into the interior of the reactor.
  • the purpose of this heating step is to allow the reactant atoms (e.g., D and or T) to diffuse out of the exterior of the reactor.
  • the reactor Since the reactant atoms will diffuse first from the outermost layer of the reactor and last from the center of the reactor, the reactor will develop a reactant concentration gradient wherein the lowest reactant concentration is at the exterior surface and the highest reactant concentration is at the center of the reactor. As a consequence of this additional step a GCNR is formed as previously described, thus providing a reactor in which the mechanical integrity of the exterior surface has been improved, leading to increased reactor life.
  • a host material having a high sound speed and a high thermal conductivity it is advantageous to use.
  • a fuel material having a high sound speed to promote the formation of microcavities in the vicinity of fuel particles and to promote high shock wave velocities in the collapsing cavities.
  • Tmeit melting temperature
  • T vap temperature at which the fuel material vaporizes
  • An example of a preferred selection of materials for use in a CNR is a sintered mixture of tungsten as a host material and GdD2 (having a low acoustic impedance relative to tungsten) as a fuel material.
  • Application of acoustic energy will result in the formation of localized regions of fuel particles of low acoustic impedance into which applied acoustic energy is preferentially refracted and concentrated thereby creating pressure antinodes in the vicinity of the fuel particles.
  • the regions containing GdD2 are typically the first to melt, both due to the concentration of energy in these regions as well as the lower melting temperature of GdD2 as compared to tungsten.
  • the concentration of acoustic energy in the fuel material will cause cavitation within the fuel material.
  • the materials in the perimeter of the “bubble” are slammed together at supersonic velocities creating enough heat to ignite any fuel particle in the vicinity of the collapse (i.e., within about .1 micrometer to about 10 micrometers of the "bubble” or microcavity).
  • the present invention can utilize any of a variety of acoustic driver arrangements for applying acoustic energy to reactor structures. It is understood, however, that these drivers are not limited to use with the solid core CNRs of the present invention, but can also be used with a conventional CNR utilizing a liquid host medium.
  • the acoustic driver is coupled to a frequency source.
  • the desired frequency depends upon the characteristics of the host material and the desired pressure intensity pattern, although for a metal host preferably the frequency is in the range of 1 kHz to 1 GHz, and more preferably in the range of 100 kHz to 10 MHz.
  • the output frequency of source 103 is adjustable over a relatively large range, thus allowing the frequency to be fine tuned to the characteristics of a specific CNR.
  • the frequency output of source 103 is periodically altered to at least a small degree, e.g., ⁇ 10%, thereby changing the acoustic interference pattern and insuring that the locations of the cavities formed within the reactor vary.
  • the reactor By varying the locations within the reactor where cavitation occurs, the reactor will operate for a longer period of time prior to the occurrence of a mechanically induced failure. Varying the cavity locations also allows regions in the reactor core containing unused fuel to be excited, thereby providing efficient fuel usage. It should be noted, however, that due to the continual formation and collapse of cavities within the reactor, the frequency characteristics of the reactor are continually changing, thus automatically varying the locations of cavitation within the reactor and reducing the need to vary the frequency output of source 103.
  • a CNR (e.g., CNR 101 or reactor structure 265 in a liquid-filled chamber) has well defined frequency characteristics, e.g., fundamental frequency, that are dependenfupon not only the material(s) comprising the CNR but also the size and shape of the CNR.
  • the fundamental frequency can be estimated using the sound speed of the material(s) comprising the CNR as well as the dimensions of the CNR.
  • An initial driver frequency can then be selected on the basis of this estimate, using either the fundamental or resonant frequency of the CNR or some integer multiple thereof, assuming resonant excitation is desired. Solid metal or ceramic structures are preferred when resonance is desired.
  • the driving frequency can then be fine tuned by monitoring some aspect of the reactor, such as the amount of acoustic or white noise generated by the collapsing cavities within the reactor, and adjusting the driving frequency to maximize the selected characteristic.
  • some aspect of the reactor such as the amount of acoustic or white noise generated by the collapsing cavities within the reactor, and adjusting the driving frequency to maximize the selected characteristic.
  • the fundamental frequency of the reactor can be experimentally determined using techniques well known by those of skill in the art.
  • resonant standing waves are generated within the reactor, thus leading to the formation of large numbers of cavities, e g , on the order of 10 6 /cm 3 to 10 I2 /cm 3
  • a frequency greater than the fundamental frequency of the CNR is coupled through the d ⁇ vers into the CNR
  • a CNR in accordance with the present invention can use one or more drivers It is understood, however, that preferably more than one driver, and typically more than two drivers, are used to generate piessure intensity patterns with a large number of pressure anti-nodes
  • the resonance pattern (l e , pressure intensity pattern) generated within the reactor is dependent on the number of d ⁇ vers and, as previously noted, the input frequency or frequencies as well as the frequency characte ⁇ stics of the reactor
  • the resonance pattern is also controlled by the d ⁇ ver locations and the manner in which the d ⁇ vers are coupled to the reactor It has been found that the mounting locations are virtually limitless (e g , opposed d ⁇ vers, multiple
  • piezoelectnc crystals are used to couple acoustic energy to a CNR
  • piezoelect ⁇ c elements are used to couple acoustic energy to horns, which in turn d ⁇ ve acoustic waves within chamber 255
  • piezoelectnc crystals are preferably used to d ⁇ ve acoustic energy into the reactor
  • Figures 6-9 illustrate alternate embodiments for coupling acoustic energy to a solid CNR (It is understood that these techniques are equally applicable to applying acoustic energy to the liquid-filled chamber reactor of Figure 3 )
  • Figure 6 illustrates an acoustic driver system 600 based on a shot peening technique
  • System 600 utilizes one or more particle discharge systems 601, each directing a stream of individual particles 603 at CNR 101 As each particle 603 collides with the surface of CNR 101 , an acoustic wave impulse is generated D ⁇ ver system 600 may also implement
  • dnver system 700 shown in Figure 7 includes a coupler 701 mounted to CNR 101
  • the stream of particles 603 impact coupler 701 rather than the outer surface of CNR 101
  • Coupler 701 controls the shape of the impulse generated by particles 603 within CNR 101 as well as providing a wear surface that can be designed to be easily replaceable
  • FIG. 8 is an illustration of an acoustic dnver system 800 including one or more pulsed liquid jet generators 801
  • Each liquid jet generator 801 directs a liquid jet, for example comprised of water, at CNR 101
  • a va ⁇ ety of techniques can be used to pulse liquid jet generators 801 in order to form a stream of liquid droplets 803 that generate acoustic impulses withm the reactor upon impact against CNR 101 or a suitable coupler 805
  • an ultrasonically excited needle rest ⁇ ction can be placed within the jet causing modulation of the fluid flowing through the jet, and thus the formation of droplets 803
  • the fluid can be ultrasonically driven, resulting in modulation of the pressure at the tip of the jet as well as modulation of the fluid flow rate
  • jet generator assemblies 801 can be acoustically modulated, thereby alte ⁇ ng the mass flow rate of the fluid exiting the jets
  • one or more magnetostnctive devices are used to supply acoustic energy when it is desired to apply high power acoustic energy at low frequencies
  • the previously descnbed d ⁇ vers are based on the coupling of acoustic energy to a CNR
  • microwave energy is coupled into the matenal compnsing the CNR
  • CNR 901 is constructed of powders, thus providing a matenal that efficiently absorbs microwave energy
  • CNR 901 is comp ⁇ sed of two powders, a powder consisting of 5 micrometer particles of GdD2 (fuel composition) and a second powder consisting of 5 micrometer particles of tungsten (host mate ⁇ al) It is understood that other matenals as well as combinations of more than two powders can also be used in the present invention as descnbed above
  • the ratio of tungsten to GdD2 is selected to be about 1000 to 1 , thus providing an average spacing of approximately 50 micrometers between adjacent GdD2 particles It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that other ratios may be selected depending on the selected materials, the desired densities and the desired reactions.
  • the desired microwave frequencies will be anywhere in the range from about 20GHZ to about 1MHz.
  • the use of multiple powders result in the formation of localized regions of low acoustic impedance into which the acoustic energy is preferentially refracted and concentrated.
  • the regions containing GdD2 are the first to melt, both due to the concentration of energy in these regions as well as the lower melting temperature of GdD2 compared to tungsten.
  • the frequency of microwave source 903 is determined by the particle size. Therefore for a 5 micrometer particle as in the present example, microwave frequencies on the order of 1 GHz are preferred since, assuming a sound speed of 5 kilometers per second in the metal, a 1 GHz frequency corresponds to an acoustic wavelength of 5 micrometers. Matching the frequency of the incident microwave energy to the particle size insures that the energy will be efficiently absorbed by the particle, setting the particle structures into resonance. It will be understood that other frequencies can cause the particles to resonate, although not as efficiently as a matching frequency. Alternately, the excitation frequency of microwave source 903 can be designed to match the average fuel particle spacing.
  • CNR 901 has a cubic geometry.
  • surface 905 adjacent, to source 903 includes one or more conical depressions 907.
  • the frequency of microwave source 903 is swept from a high frequency to a low frequency.
  • a particle begins to resonate, its size begins to increase, thereby lowering its resonant frequency.
  • the system is able to track the change in resonant frequency of the excited particles to a degree so as to enhance the amount of microwave energy absorbed over time.
  • the range of frequencies applied is preferably swept from about 20GHz down to about 500MHz, more preferably from about 1GHz down to about 500 MHz, and even more preferably down to about 1MHz.
  • CNR 1200 shown in Figure 10 surrounds an inner core region 1203 with a single layer 1205, it is understood that the core can be surrounded by more than a single layer.
  • the acoustic energy is delivered to inner core 1203 through the outer layer or layers utilizing any of the acoustic drivers that have previously been described.
  • a spherical configuration is shown, the invention is not so limited. For example, a layered cube, a layered cylinder, a layered rectangular shape, and a layered random shape are also envisioned.
  • the unifying aspect of this embodiment is the confinement of the desired fuel material within one or more exterior layers of a different, preferably non-fuel material.
  • the inner confined region can be spherical, cubic, or otherwise shaped.
  • CNR 1200 can be used in the liquid-filled chamber 255 as shown in Figure 3 (i.e., as reactor structure 265).
  • Inner core 1203 is preferably fabricated from the desired fuel material while outer layer 1205 is fabricated from a lower cost, high tensile strength host material, thereby lowering the overall manufacturing cost while simultaneously extending reactor life through the reduction of stress fatigue failures. Also preferably the acoustic impedance of core 1203 is lower than that of layer 1205 thus improving the shock tendencies of the reactor.
  • inner core 1203 is made of a fuel material including a fuel component mixed with the host material used to make outer layer 1205, so that acoustic impedance mismatches between core 1203 and outer layer 1205 are essentially eliminated.
  • layer 1205 is made of tungsten and core 1203 is made of LiD or LiT mixed in tungsten.
  • core 1203 is made of a fuel material mixed with a second (host) material different from the host material in layer 1205.
  • a second (host) material different from the host material in layer 1205.
  • core 1203 includes fuel matenal having a uniform density throughout, although the fuel matenal may have a non-uniform density profile within core 1203, for example, as shown in Figure 1 1
  • Desired reaction paths include Li + D reactions, D + D reactions, D + Gd reactions (e g , neutron stripping), D +Cd, etc It will also be appreciated that T ⁇ tium (T) or T+D can be substituted for D in the listed and contemplated reactions, although T is less preferred for the sole reason that it is radioactive
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 10 can be used for any of the disclosed cavitation d ⁇ ven nuclear reactions, the present embodiment is particularly useful for enhancing neutron st ⁇ pping reactions
  • a heavy isotope with a large thermal neutron capture cross section is forced to react with a light isotope (e g , a hydrogen isotope such as deute ⁇ um or tntium)
  • the neutron capture cross section of the heavy isotope is preferably greater than about 10 barns, more preferably greater than about 100 bams and even more preferably greater than about 1000 bams
  • the higher the neutron capture cross section the more likely a neutron st ⁇ pping reaction will occur
  • the neutron st ⁇ pping reaction m a CNR can be enhanced through the use of high neutron cross section isotopes in the CNR
  • boron, cadmium, europium, gadolinium, sama ⁇ um, dysprosium in
  • the present reactor arrangements are ideally suited for neutron stripping reactions, for example where a deuteron is used to transfer a neutron to a second nucleus such as gadolinium.
  • specific undesirable end products are avoided by removing isotopes with a mass number one less than that of the undesirable end product prior to initializing the neutron stripping reaction.
  • the formation rate for beta reactive isotopes 6 Gd 159 and/or 6 Gd 161 can be greatly reduced.
  • core region 1203 is comprised of an enriched isotope of a material with a high neutron cross section, such as Gd l D7 (i.e., having a neutron cross section of approximately 254,000 barns) or other material having isotopes with high neutron capture cross sections as discussed above.
  • a material with a high neutron cross section such as Gd l D7 (i.e., having a neutron cross section of approximately 254,000 barns) or other material having isotopes with high neutron capture cross sections as discussed above.
  • Enriched material e.g., gadolinium, cadmium, etc.
  • enrichment techniques e.g., atomic vapor laser isotope separation.
  • Layer 1205 is preferably comprised of a non-fuel material such as tungsten, titanium, or molybdenum that is capable of delivering the acoustic energy from the driver or drivers to core region 1203.
  • a non-fuel material such as tungsten, titanium, or molybdenum that is capable of delivering the acoustic energy from the driver or drivers to core region 1203.
  • An advantage of tungsten is its high sound speed, high density, and high acoustic impedance. Utilizing an exterior layer with a higher acoustic impedance than the central core region leads to an increase in_the velocity of the compression wave initiated by the driver as the compression wave passes the interface between the two materials. As a consequence, higher shock wave velocities and higher temperatures can be obtained vvifhin the collapsing cavities or bubbles.
  • the use of tungsten, or a similar material, for layer 1205 offers other advantages. For example, it has a high mechanical operating temperature, thus allowing high temperature reactions to take place within

Abstract

Selon cette invention, un coeur de réacteur comprend un matériau hôte dans lequel est intercalé un matériau combustible. De préférence, le matériau hôte a une impédance acoustique supérieure à celle du combustible de sorte que l'énergie acoustique appliquée au coeur du réacteur à la fréquence de résonance du coeur ou proche de celle-ci soit réfractée et concentrée dans le matériau combustible, ce qui génère une cavitation dans le matériau combustible et de préférence forme des microcavités en contact avec le matériau combustible. L'énergie acoustique est appliquée au coeur au moyen de diverses techniques telles que par couplage de cristaux piézo-électriques au coeur solide ou par génération de cavitation dans un milieu liquide entourant le coeur. Les températures obtenues dans les microcavités du coeur sont suffisantes pour entraîner de nombreuses réactions, y compris des réactions nucléaires telles que des réactions au deutérium (D) + D. Le matériau combustible comprend de préférence un composant tel que D et/ou tritium (T) ou un composé comprenant D et/ou T. Des réactions neutroniques telles que le stripage peuvent également être déclenchées en incluant un matériau, tel que le gadolinium dont la section efficace a une teneur élevée en neutrons, comme composant du matériau combustible et/ou de l'hôte. D ou T est chargé dans le matériau hôte par électrolyse dans l'eau lourde, par exemple, dans la même chambre. Différentes techniques de métallurgie des poudres peuvent être également utilisées pour charger le matériau hôte avec le matériau combustible. Le profil de densité du matériau combustible dans le matériau hôte peut être régulier ou irrégulier.
PCT/US2000/031769 1999-11-24 2000-11-17 Materiaux pour ameliorer les reactions de cavitation nucleaires et leurs procedes de fabrication WO2001039202A2 (fr)

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US9271383B2 (en) 2009-07-29 2016-02-23 General Fusion, Inc. Systems and methods for plasma compression with recycling of projectiles

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