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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.
Hemant Kumar, K. V. Phani Prabhakar, Shiju Sam, S. K. Albert, G. Padmanabham, A. K. Bhaduri, T. Jayakumar, E. Rajendra Kumar
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 66 | Number 1 | July-August 2014 | Pages 192-199
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/FST13-747
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Laser and laser hybrid welding are among the processes chosen for joining Indian reduced activation ferritic martensitic (INRAFM) steel that will be used for fabrication of Indian test blanket modules (TBMs) to be tested in ITER. In the present study, a 3.5 kW slab CO2 laser in autogenous mode and hybridized mode with MIG were successfully employed to make butt joints in plates 6 mm and 12 mm thick respectively. Initially, bead-on-plate (BOP) experiments were conducted to study the effect of various laser and laser hybrid welding parameters such as laser power, welding speed, MIG torch angle, wire feed rate, composition of torch gas, gas shielding arrangement, stand off, distance between arc and laser, and focal position of the laser with respect to the surface. The resultant weld beads were evaluated for weld penetration, width of the weld, and width of the HAZ. Based on BOP welding studies, parameters were chosen for carrying out butt welding experiments using square butt for 6 mm plates and Y-groove edged configurations for 12 mm thick plates with various root face heights and included angles. The radiography results showed that all the welds were acceptable as per ASME Section III. The welds were also evaluated using hardness tests, metallographic analysis, and tensile, bend, and impact tests.