Low pellet gain and high efficiency icf power plant model by MHD power generation

We propose a low pellet gain and high efficiency inertial confinement fusion (ICF) power generation system using a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generation, and employ analytical comparative studies for power generation system options. When the thermal output at high temperature (about 2000–2400K) can be extracted from a fusion reactor, only an MHD generator can be used and can convert efficiently ICF output energy into electricity even under such a high temperature condition. In this study, we investigate on a high efficiency gas-cooled ICF power generation system using a non-equilibrium closed cycle MHD generator. As a result, it is found that the power generation efficiency of 65% can be achieved by using a simple MHD power generation without a bottoming cycle in a heavy ion ICF power plant. Additionally, the enhancement of power generation efficiency reduces the requirements for ICF technologies. Therefore, even lower pellet gain becomes acceptable when high efficiency ICF power plant can be established by using an MHD power generation system as shown in this study.