An Overview of the Direct Energy Conversion Proof of Principle Power Production Program Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • The United States Department of Energy, Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) Direct Energy Conversion Proof of Principle (DECPOP) project has as its goal the development of a direct energy conversion process suitable for commercial development. We define direct energy conversion as any fission process that returns usable energy without an intermediate thermal process. A prior Direct Energy Conversion (DEC) project [1] has been completed and indicates that a viable direct energy device is possible if several technological issues can be overcome. The DECPOP program is focusing on two of the issues: charged particle steering and high voltage hold-off. This paper reports on the progress of the DECPOP project. Two prototype concepts are under development: a Fission Electric Cell using magnetic insulation and a Fission Fragment Magnetic Collimator using magnetic fields to direct fission fragments to collectors. Included in this paper are a short project description, an abbreviated summary of the work completed to date, a description of ongoing and future project activities, and a discussion of the potential for future research and development.

name of conference

  • 12th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Volume 2

published proceedings

  • 12th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Volume 2

author list (cited authors)

  • King, D., Rochau, G., Oscar, D., Morrow, C., Tsvetkov, P., Hart, R., & Gallix, R.

citation count

  • 0

complete list of authors

  • King, D||Rochau, G||Oscar, D||Morrow, C||Tsvetkov, P||Hart, R||Gallix, R

publication date

  • January 2004