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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.
Kathryn A. McCarthy
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 20 | Number 4 | December 1991 | Pages 425-432
Technical Paper | Blanket Engineering | doi.org/10.13182/FST91-A29660
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A computationally efficient method for analyzing magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow is used to investigate flow in a channel with a high aspect ratio that is mechanically strengthened by the use of anchor links. The method used is the core flow approximation, which neglects inertial and viscous effects and the induced magnetic field. This reduces the governing equations to a set of linear equations. These assumptions are often valid at the high magnetic fields characteristic of a fusion reactor. The slotted duct shape is used to reduce the MHD pressure drop, which may be excessive in liquid-metal blankets. It may be necessary, however, to use anchor links in the design, and these anchor links introduce an additional pressure drop. The analysis shows that the size is more important than the conductivity of the anchor link. Depending on the size of the anchor link, the pressure drop is shown to increase by as much as 100% for the geometries analyzed.