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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.
C. A. Ordonez, W. D. Booth, R. Carrera, R. Mohanti, M. E. Oakes
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 19 | Number 3 | May 1991 | Pages 1783-1788
Impurity Control and Plasma-Facing Component | Proceedings of the Ninth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Oak Brook, Illinois, October 7-11, 1990) | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A29601
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Accurate estimates of first-wall erosion in a compact fusion ignition experiment are important for the design of the first-wall system and its maintenance. Because of maintenance requirements and thermal response considerations, a smooth wall represents a good candidate for the first-wall. This type of wall is considered in an analysis of first-wall erosion in the IGNITEX high-field ignition tokamak. A poloidal model of the scrape-off layer is used with a new sputtering model to investigate the distribution of first-wall erosion and impurity penetration into the plasma. Estimates of erosion values at the wall during disruptions are calculated both with and without vapor. Vapor shielding effects are found to be significant. The effect of the thermal quench duration is analyzed and various low Z first wall materials are considered.