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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.
D. R. Hanchar, M. S. Kazimi
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 4 | Number 2 | September 1983 | Pages 395-400
Tritium | doi.org/10.13182/FST83-A22896
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A transient tritium permeation model is developed based on a simplified conceptual DT-fueled fusion reactor design. The major design features in the model are a solid breeder blanket, a low pressure purge gas in the blanket and a high pressure helium primary coolant. Tritium inventory in the breeder is due to diffusive hold-up and solubility effects. Diffusive hold-up is assumed to be the dominant factor in order to separate the solution for the breeder tritium concentration. The model was applied to the STARFIRE-Interim Reference Design, whose system parameters yielded a breeder tritium inventory on the order of grams. The breeder pellets (average radius, 10−3 cm) reach their steady-state tritium content in approximately 4 hours from startup, assuming continuous full power operation. Both the steady-state breeder tritium concentration and the time to reach that steady-state are proportional to the square of the pellet radius.