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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.
Nancy Ma, John Walker, Tess Moon, Thanh Hua, Basil Picologlou
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 25 | Number 4 | July 1994 | Pages 398-410
Technical Paper | Blanket Engineering | doi.org/10.13182/FST94-A30246
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow in a pair of finite-length, parallel, equal-area square ducts, connected to single rectangular ducts upstream and downstream is examined. Each duct has a different liner with a thin sheet of metal that is in contact with the coolant and that is electrically insulated from structural walls and from other duct liners, except at the junctions. The objective is to concentrate most of the flow in one of the two parallel ducts by making its metal wall much thinner than that of its neighbor, so that its MHD resistance to flow is smaller. Flow ratios approaching ten are obtained with typical values of the wall conductance ratios, which are proportional to the wall thicknesses. The flow at the entrance is complex, with some flow entering the low-velocity duct and then returning to the entrance, where it swirls around the upstream edge of the common wall to enter the high-velocity duct. The balance between three-dimensional and fully developed pressure drops is investigated as a function of the distance between the entrance and the exit of the parallel ducts.