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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.
Robert J. Kurzeja, Charles E. Murphy Jr., Robert W. Taylor
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 14 | Number 2 | September 1988 | Pages 1111-1114
Tritium Safety | doi.org/10.13182/FST88-A25287
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An unplanned release of 168,000 Ci of elemental tritium (HT) and 4700 Ci of tritium oxide (HTO) occurred on July 31, 1987 from the Savannah River Plant. The oxide fraction in the exhaust stack was determined to be 2.7%. The air concentrations of HT and HTO were also measured at 43 downwind locations. The oxide fraction varied between 2 and 3% at the plant boundary (12 miles downwind) and between 0.3% and 84% at greater downwind distances (15 to 40 miles). The increased variability of the oxide fraction with downwind distance is attributed to exchange of oxide with surface vegetation and to turbulent transfer between the surface and the boundary layer. These results are relevant to a recent study of HT oxidation based on downwind changes in the HT/HTO ratio (Bardolle, 1981).