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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.
R. B. Campbell, M. A. Hoffman, B. G. Logan
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 10 | Number 3 | November 1986 | Pages 881-889
Innovative Concepts for Power Conversion | Proceedings of the Seveth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Reno, Nevada, June 15–19, 1986) | doi.org/10.13182/FST86-A24848
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An advanced concept, in-situ MHD conversion, is described for converting fusion energy to electricity. Considerable cost savings can be realized because of the conversion of thermal energy to electricity achieved in the blanket by means of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generators. The external disk generator, also described, is another application of the MHD idea, which may have certain advantages over the in-situ scheme for advanced-fuel tokamaks. The feature that makes these schemes fusion-specific is the novel use of the electromagnetic radiation naturally emitted by the plasma. The synchrotron radiation can be used either to heat the nonequilibrium MHD plasma, or possibly improve its stability. A Rankine cycle with cesium-seeded mercury as a working fluid is used in either case. Performance predictions by a quasi-one-dimensional model are presented. An experiment to determine the effect of microwave radiation on channel performance is planned.