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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.
G. Listvinsky, J. J. Weede, S. L. Salem, A. Wolfson
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 10 | Number 3 | November 1986 | Pages 514-520
The Compact Ignition Tokamak Program | Proceedings of the Seveth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Reno, Nevada, June 15–19, 1986) | doi.org/10.13182/FST86-A24798
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This paper describes the ongoing analysis efforts supporting the design of the first wall (FW) and vacuum vessel (VV) components for the Compact Ignition Tokamak (CIT). Thermal and stress analyses of FW graphite tiles have established a nominal tile thickness of 1.0 cm and a maximum allowable FW surface heat flux of 11.0 MW/m2. Calculations have shown that for a cooldown time of one hour, the required tile to W thermal conductance is > 0.1 W/K. Estimates of worst-case electromagnetic loads and resulting stresses on the VV during plasma disruptions have shown the maximum stress levels to be below the allowable limits for the VV material. These results have demonstrated that the selected FW/VV concept is consistent with the design objectives.