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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.
W. Kernbichlerb, G. H. Miley, M. Heindler
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 15 | Number 2 | March 1989 | Pages 1142-1147
Alternate Fuels and Innovative Confinement Concept | doi.org/10.13182/FST89-A39847
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The intrinsic potential of D-3He as a reactor fuel is investigated for a large range of 3He to D density ratios. A steady-state zero-dimensional reactor model is developed in which much care is attributed to a proper treatment of fast fusion products. Useful ranges of reactor parameters as well as temperature-density windows for driven and ignited operation are identified. Various figures of merit are calculated, such as power densities, net power production, neutron production, tritium load and radiative power. These results suggest several optimistic conclusions about the performance of D-3He as a reactor fuel. aSupported by Fonds zur Foerderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Bundeswirtschaftskammer and Friedrich Schiedel-Stiftung, Austria, Internat. Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, and US DOE contract No. DEFG02-86ER52127. bPermanent address: Alternate Energy Physics Program, Institute for Theoretical Physics, Graz University of Technology, Austria