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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.
P. Y. Li, C. J. Pan, B. L. Hou, S. L. Han, Z. C. Sun, F. Savary, Y. K. Fu, R. Gallix, N. Mitchell
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 61 | Number 2 | February 2012 | Pages 141-146
Technical Paper | First Joint ITER-IAEA Technical Meeting on Analysis of ITER Materials and Technologies | doi.org/10.13182/FST12-A13380
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The research and development of manufacture-related technology for ITER magnet supports is one of the tasks for construction. AISI 316LN austenitic stainless steel has been developed and tested as the main raw material. The material shows excellent mechanical properties at room temperature, 77 K, and 4.2 K. An alternative design for the toroidal field support manufacture without welding was carried out. The structural analysis shows no stress concentration and buckling in the present design during ITER operation. However, further engineering tests of the structural stability under various load combinations are also scheduled. A brazed connection to attach the cooling pipes to the support plates is suggested. Several kinds of candidate brazing fillers, such as Sn-Pb-, Ag-, and Cu-based alloys have been developed. The tensile strength of the brazed solders is up to 400 MPa at 77 K for the Ag-based and Cu-based fillers. For correction coil support, the plasma spray insulation coating was developed and introduced.