Zap Energy Scientific and Engineering Platform Development Progress

Zap Energy is actively developing the sheared-flow-stabilized (SFS) Z-pinch concept for fusion energy applications. Sheared-flow stabilization offers a pathway toward pulsed, quasi-steady-state, long-duration (10 Hz, ~ 100 microseconds) Z-pinch plasmas, stable to the MHD modes characteristic of static Z-pinch configurations. Zap’s development approach is to parallelize efforts based on high scientific performance single-shot systems with rep-rated power-plant-relevant engineering platforms.  

 

Two SFS Z-pinch devices are currently operational: the FuZE and FuZE-Q platforms. FuZE is focused on advanced device configurations utilizing 100-kJ-scale pulsed power current drivers, while FuZE-Q pushes fusion performance with larger MJ-scale drivers. An extensive suite of advanced diagnostics is deployed on both systems, which monitors the deuterium plasma conditions as Zap seeks to push fusion performance to deuterium-tritium-equivalent scientific breakeven, Q sci= 1. Recent experimental results from both devices will be presented.  

 

Zap Energy also has parallel programs developing power handling systems suitable for future power plants. Project Century is Zap Energy’s first platform integrating high-average-power  

repetitive pulsed power, high-duty-cycle cathodes, and liquid metal wall systems into an operational system.  Century is capable of firing SFS Z-pinch plasmas into a liquid-metal-lined container at sustained repetition rates on the order of 0.1 Hz. The pulsed power driver and liquid metal heat exchanger are both designed for a nominal average power of 100 kW.  Construction and commissioning status are described.