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Fusion Energy
This division promotes the development and timely introduction of fusion energy as a sustainable energy source with favorable economic, environmental, and safety attributes. The division cooperates with other organizations on common issues of multidisciplinary fusion science and technology, conducts professional meetings, and disseminates technical information in support of these goals. Members focus on the assessment and resolution of critical developmental issues for practical fusion energy applications.
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Smarter waste strategies: Helping deliver on the promise of advanced nuclear
At COP28, held in Dubai in 2023, a clear consensus emerged: Nuclear energy must be a cornerstone of the global clean energy transition. With electricity demand projected to soar as we decarbonize not just power but also industry, transport, and heat, the case for new nuclear is compelling. More than 20 countries committed to tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050. In the United States alone, the Department of Energy forecasts that the country’s current nuclear capacity could more than triple, adding 200 GW of new nuclear to the existing 95 GW by mid-century.
Akiyoshi Hatayama, Masatada Ogasawara, Michinori Yamauchi, Kunihiko Okano, Yuzo Fukai, Tomoaki Yoshida, Tadasu Takuma, Kenji Yamaji
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 26 | Number 1 | August 1994 | Pages 27-45
Technical Paper | Fusion Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/FST94-A30299
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Plasma size and other basic performance parameters for 1000-MW (electric) power production are calculated with the blanket energy multiplication factor, the M value, as a parameter. The calculational model is based on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) physics design guidelines and includes overall plant power flow. Plasma size decreases as the M value increases. However, the improvement in the plasma compactness and other basic performance parameters, such as the total plant power efficiency, becomes saturated above the M = 5 to 7 range. Thus, a value in the M = 5 to 7 range is a reasonable choice for 1000-MW (electric) hybrids. Typical plasma parameters for 1000-MW (electric) hybrids with a value of M = 7 are a major radius of R = 5.2 m, minor radius of a = 1.7 m, plasma current of Ip = 15 MA, and toroidal field on the axis of B0 = 5 T. The concept of a thermal fission blanket that uses light water as a coolant is selected as an attractive candidate for electricity-producing hybrids. An optimization study is carried out for this blanket concept. The result shows that a compact, simple structure with a uniform fuel composition for the fissile region is sufficient to obtain optimal conditions for suppressing the thermal power increase caused by fuel burnup. The maximum increase in the thermal power is +3.2%. The M value estimated from the neutronics calculations is ∼ 7.0, which is confirmed to be compatible with the plasma requirement. These studies show that it is possible to use a tokamak fusion core with design requirements similar to those of ITER for a 1000-MW(electric) power reactor that uses existing thermal reactor technology for the blanket.