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Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
Jon D. McWhirter, Michael E. Crawford, Dale E. Klein, Thomas L. Sanders
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 33 | Number 1 | January 1998 | Pages 22-30
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST98-A12
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An analytical model for magnetohydrodynamic flow in a porous medium comprised of a packed bed of uniform spheres is developed. A rectangular geometry only is considered. Two distinct cases are studied: an infinite packed bed and a finite packed bed including wall effect. The wall effect is modeled by employing a two-zone porosity model, with a higher porosity wall region inserted between the solid wall and the lower porosity core region. The effect of the conductivity of the packed bed is accounted for by analogy with Hartmann flow in a duct with an external load. A parametric analysis is performed with the completed model to assess the effects of various factors upon the model results.