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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.
A.M. Hassanein
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 15 | Number 2 | March 1989 | Pages 513-521
Plasma Engineering | doi.org/10.13182/FST89-A39751
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Melting and vaporization of metallic reactor components such as the first wall and the limiter/divertor may be expected in fusion reactors due to the high energy deposition resulting from plasma instabilities occuring during both normal and off-normal operating conditions. Off-normal operating conditions result from plasma disruptions where the plasma loses confinement and dumps its energy on parts of reactor components. High heat flux may also result during normal operating conditions due to fluctuations in plasma edge conditions. The net erosion rates resulting from both melting and vaporization are very important in estimating the lifetime of such reactor components. Of particular significance is the stability and erosion of the resulting melt layer which directly impacts the total expected lifetime of the reactor. During the course of the disruption, the melt layer may be exposed to various forces such as electromagnetic, gravitational, plasma debris momentum, vapor recoil, surface tension and other forces. The loss of the melt layer during the disruption could have a serious impact on the required safe and economic operation of the reactor. A model is developed to describe the behavior of the melt layer during the time evolution of the disruption. The analysis is done parametrically for a range of disruption times, energy densities and various acting forces.