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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. W. Brunson, W. D. Booth, R. Carrera, W. F. Weldon
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 19 | Number 3 | May 1991 | Pages 1149-1153
Ignition Device | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A29498
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A basic requisite of the Fusion Ignition Experiment (IGNITEX)1 is the production of a high (20 T) toroidal field (TF) by a single turn coil. The proposed high-field technology uses precooling and preloading systems. The Ignition Technology Demonstration (ITD) program, designed to produce 20 T on axis in a 0.06 scale prototype TF coil, utilizes a preloading structure and a precooling system. The preloading structure is a hydraulic press built around the TF coil, capable of a force of 1.1 Mlb (4.9 MN) and a stroke of 0.5 in. (1.3 cm). The precooling system is an open-top LN2 cryostat tub integrated into the preload press. The IGNITEX experiment is estimated to use a preload press with force capacity of approximately 150,000 tons (1.3 GN), and with a stroke on the order of 2 in. (5.1 cm). Design considerations include efficient use of material, design of large scale hydraulic actuators, shielding to reduce radiation from activated material, maintenance, cost, and reliability. The precooling system design involves considerations of feedthroughs, minimal cooling time between pulses, maintenance and reliability.