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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.
P. J. Estreich, S. L. Ostrow, K. Haller
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 21 | Number 3 | May 1992 | Pages 1506-1513
Inertial Fusion Reactor Studies | doi.org/10.13182/FST92-A29933
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This paper reports on the design of the thermal energy conversion system for the Prometheus-L inertial fusion energy power plant, emphasizing features affected by characteristics of the fusion thermal power source. Ebasco Services is part of a team led by McDonnell Douglas, and funded by the Department of Energy, developing power plant designs for both laser and heavy-ion drivers with the goals of advancing the state of Inertial Fusion Energy design, identifying critical issues, and providing a basis of comparison with Magnetic Fusion Energy design studies. The thermal cycle design is based on an advanced supercritical double reheat Rankine cycle which utilizes as its heat sources the liquid lead coolant from the first wall protection, the helium coolant for the blanket and waste heat from the laser-driver system.