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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.
S. K. Sharma et al.
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 60 | Number 4 | November 2011 | Pages 1511-1514
Interaction with Materials | Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Tritium Science and Technology (Part 2) | doi.org/10.13182/FST11-A12719
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A permeation measuring system with a nickel membrane of 30 m thickness was installed near the mid plane of the spherical tokamak, QUEST. Hydrogen permeation through the membrane heated at fix temperatures (422 - 506 K) was measured during short pulse (< 1 s) and long pulse (1 hour) plasma discharges. After the membrane was heated to a required temperature, hydrogen plasma was discharged using a 2.45 GHz or 8.2 GHz RF system. Significant plasma-driven permeation was observed even for very short plasma discharges (e.g. 0.1s). Numerical calculations with the use of diffusion equation under recombination boundary conditions were conducted to simulate the transient permeation behavior. The numerical calculations were also used to estimate diffusion coefficient and recombination coefficients of membrane material. Temperature dependence of both the coefficients was explained by the Arrhenius law. A one hour long permeation curve was also numerically reproduced using the same set of parameters except an increasing recombination coefficient on the plasma side of the membrane.