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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.
T. Kurasawa, R. A. Verrali, O. D. Slagle, G. W. Hollenberg
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 19 | Number 3 | May 1991 | Pages 931-937
Blanket Technology | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A29463
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The BEATRIX-II experiment in FFTF is an in-situ tritium recovery experiment to evaluate the tritium release characteristics of Li2O and its stability under fast neutron irradiation to extended burnups. This experiment includes two specimens: a thin annular ring specimen capable of temperature transients and a solid temperature gradient specimen. During the first 85 days of the operating cycle of the reactor, the tritium recovery rate of a temperature transient capsule was examined as a function of temperature, gas flow rate, gas composition and burnup. Temperature changes in the range from 500 to 650°C resulted in decreasing tritium inventory with increasing temperature. Lower gas flow rates resulted in slightly lower tritium recovery rates while gas composition changes affected the tritium recovery rate significantly more than either flow rate or temperature changes. Three different sweep gases were used: He-0.1% H2, He-0.01% H2, and pure He. Decreasing the amount of hydrogen in the sweep gas decreased the steady-state recovery rate by as much as a factor of two. A temperature gradient capsule is more prototypic of the conditions expected in a fusion blanket and was designed to provide data that can be used in evaluating the operational parameters of a solid breeder in a blanket environment. The operation of this canister during the first 85 EFPD cycle suggests that Li2O is a viable solid breeder material.