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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.
F. Andritsos, M. Zucchetti
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 21 | Number 3 | May 1992 | Pages 2046-2050
Safety, Recycling, and Waste Management | doi.org/10.13182/FST92-A30022
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The thermal transient in ITER, following a total LOCA accident, has been studied by means of a combined neutronic-thermal model. A complete (inboard and outboard) sector of the machine has been modelled. It turns out that, at short term, the transient is dominated by the redistribution of the high initial temperature of the plasma facing components. At medium term, the intense afterheat generation dominates the transient. The cold components act as a heat sink, and the process remains adiabatic for all practical purposes. At long term, weak afterheat generation and heat dissipation towards the environment dominate, and a temperature peak is found only several weeks after the accident. The temperatures that are obtained do not affect in any way the structural integrity or the containment of ITER.