Industrial Ecology for Inertial Fusion Energy: Selection of High-Z Material for HYLIFE-II Targets

The methods of industrial ecology have been applied to the selection of a high-Z material for indirect-drive targets in the HYLIFE-II reactor. We quantify physical, chemical, and radiological impacts, rate the social-welfare impacts, and identify trends in the economic dimensions of the material selection. Early accident dose, the waste disposal rating, life-cycle volume, gamma dose rate, and resource availability are all considered. Four high-Z materials are considered: Ta, W, Hg, and Pb. A new activation module has been developed to accurately account for the complex activation scenarios of target materials. We explore a range of recycling scenarios and the results of these activation calculations are translated into the indices mentioned above. The recycling scenario can be modified to reduce accident hazards, disposal hazards, maintenance hazards, or fiscal expenditures, but different hazards or costs suggest different recycling scenarios are preferable. The IE methodology and examples of results are presented and areas for further study are identified.