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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.
Alan M. Snyder, K. D. Watts
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 8 | Number 1 | July 1985 | Pages 291-295
Operation and Maintenance | Proceedings of the Sixth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (San Francisco, California, March 3-7, 1985) | doi.org/10.13182/FST85-A40059
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The recently completed Tokamak Fusion Core Experiment (TFCX) design project investigated potential “next generation” tokamak concepts. An important early development of the design was the incorporation of remote maintainability. Early coordination and incorporation of maintenance aspects to the design of the device and facilities will ensure that the machine can ultimately be maintained and repaired efficiently and cost effectively. A rigorously formatted engineering trade study was performed to determine the preferred configuration for the TFCX reactor based primarily on maintenance requirements. The study indicates a preferred design with an external vacuum vessel and torodial field coils that can be removed by simple radial motion. The trade study is presented and the preferred TFCX configuration is described.