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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.
L.L. Lengyel, K. Borrass
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 8 | Number 1 | July 1985 | Pages 1760-1765
Plasma Heating, Impurity Control, and Fueling | Proceedings of the Sixth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (San Francisco, California, March 3-7, 1985) | doi.org/10.13182/FST85-A40015
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The fueling requirements of fusion reactors are analyzed on the basis of a recent assessment performed for NET (Next European Torus). Results of penetration depth calculations applied to single pellets under thermonuclear plasma conditions are described. Data corresponding to the commonly used neutral gas shielding ablation model and a magnetic shielding approximation are compared. The pellet size and pellet velocity requirements for central fueling are established. Scenario calculations are performed with the help of a 1D tokamak transport code. The pellet size, pellet velocity, and injection frequency requirements for continuous fueling or, for example, ignition with the help of pellets are obtained. The effect of runaway electrons, NB ions and alpha particles is estimated by calculating the ablation rates caused by these particles in fusion plasmas and comparing them with the ablation rate induced by thermal electrons.