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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.
George Tsotridis, Hans Rother
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 27 | Number 4 | July 1995 | Pages 389-400
Technical Paper | First-Wall Technology | doi.org/10.13182/FST95-A30359
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Plasma disruptions infusion reactors lead to high-energy deposition for short periods of time, causing melting of the first wall. A two-dimensional transient computer model has been developed that, by solving the equations of motion and energy, predicts the depths and the motion of the molten layers in small beam simulation experiments. It is demonstrated that convective flows caused by variations of surface tension—due to changes in material chemistry and surface temperature—play an important role in determining the depth and flow intensities of the molten layers. The calculated shapes and depths of the molten layers for Type 316 stainless steel have been compared with available experimental results and found to be in good agreement.