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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.
Keiji Miyazaki, Kensuke Konishi, Hiroshi Aoyama, Shoji Inoue, Nobuo Yamaoka
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 19 | Number 3 | May 1991 | Pages 961-968
Blanket Technology | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A29467
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
For reducing the liquid metal MHD pressure drop in the inlet and outlet pipings of a fusion power reactor, the authors proposed a circular duct of electrically insulating function which consists of an outer pipe of metal structure and an inner pipe of insulating ceramics. A basic experiment was made with NaK. The test section which was made of a 25.4 mm O.D. 2.1 mm thick 304-SS pipe and a concentrically inserted 20 mm O.D., 1.0 mm thick FRP pipe with 0.6 mm clearance filled with NaK. The results are quite encouraging as summarized below. (1) The MHD drop gradient is proportional to the flow velocity U and the magnetic flux density B (c.f. B2 for a conducting duct). (2) It is 1.6 times larger than the Shercliff's theory for perfect insulation. (3) It is reduced down to 4.6% at B= 1.0 T and to 3.2% at B= 1.5 T in comparison with the case of uninsulated duct, and to less than 1% if merely extended to B= 5 T or higher.