Sensitivity Study of LIFE Chamber Dynamics (Final Report)
The objective of this research is to investigate the turbulent flow state in a prototype of the LIFE fusion chamber, over many fusion cycles, using high-fidelity three-dimensional computational modeling. A fusion cycle duration is defined here as the time between laser shots (that induce fusion of the fuel stored in the capsule). The main problem of interest discussed in this report is the study of the sensitivity of the flow conditions in the fusion chamber to the radiation parameters used in the BUCKY code (Univ. Wisconsin Madison) that give the initial conditions for the present simulations. Of particular interest is the asymptotic “nth-state” cycle in the model fusion chamber and vacuum vessel assembly. The asymptotic (but unsteady) state was reached by advancing in time an initial value problem with estimated initial data that are thought to be representative of the fusion chamber state (in the mean). These conditions were provided to the Illinois team by LLNL. Many details of the flow solver, strategy and other auxiliary information can be found in a previous report entitled “CFD Simulation in Support of the Dynamic Chamber Systems Strategic Initiative.” Here, several quantities were investigated in detail. First, the global balance of mass in the fusion chamber and vacuum vessel. Second, the state of the density field inside the chamber: turbulence and density spectra, mean and fluctuation of the density. Third, to develop an understanding of the effect of forced recirculation imposed on the chamber-vacuum vessel ensemble, to understand the behavior and distribution of the capsule debris throughout the domain and instantaneous fluxes through the numerous ports and openings of the chamber. Fourth, and finally, to elucidate transport properties near the relatively cold walls of the chamber that might affect the chemistry of the complex fluid mixture from calculated temperature condition on the walls. These four questions have been investigated with different degrees of fidelity (as detailed below) assuming as few simplifications as possible while maintaining many elements of the complex geometry of the fusion chamber. Finally, the simulations do not include the effects of radiation explicitly, which is expected to be critical during the instants immediately after a laser pulse and fusion ignition, and instead a rational “handshake” procedure was developed to derive initial conditions consistent with those produced by BUCKY under different assumptions.