UWFDM-1227 Radiological Impacts of IFE Target and RTL Recycling Option: A Comparative Study

Designers of heavy ion (HI) and Z-pinch inertial fusion power plants have explored the potential of recycling the target and recyclable transmission line (RTL) materials as an alternate option to disposal in a geological repository. Although the physics basis of the HI and Z-pinch concepts is widely different, many of the recycling issues facing both designs are quite similar. This work represents the first time a comprehensive recycling assessment was performed on both machines with an exact pulse history. We examined two extreme irradiation approaches and assessed their impact on multi-disciplinary design requirements, such as the waste level, economics, and design complexity. The first open-cycle, oncethrough approach irradiates the materials a single time and then disposes of them in a repository. In the second closed-cycle recycling approach, the materials are remanufactured, spending up to 10 days outside the chamber in an on-site factory, and reused for the entire life of the plant. Our results offer two divergent conclusions on the target/RTL recycling issue. For the HI concept, target recycling is not a “must” requirement and the preferred option is the one-shot use scenario as target materials represent a small waste stream, less than 1% of the total nuclear island waste. We recommend using low-cost hohlraum materials once-through and then disposing of them instead of recycling expensive materials such as Au and Gd. On the contrary, RTL recycling is a “must” requirement for the Z-pinch concept in order to minimize the RTL inventory and enhance the economics. The RTLs meet the low level waste and recycling dose requirements with a wide margin when recycled for the entire plant life even without a cooling period. While recycling offers advantages to the Z-pinch system, it adds complexity and cost to the HI designs.