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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.
B.B. Glasgow, W.G. Wolfer
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 8 | Number 1 | July 1985 | Pages 596-601
Blanket and First-Wall Engineering | Proceedings of the Sixth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (San Francisco, California, March 3-7, 1985) | doi.org/10.13182/FST85-A40104
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
High heat flux components in fusion reactors will experience inelastic strains resulting from swelling, creep, and thermal expansion. Additionally, because of thermal and irradiation creep, the stresses will redistribute during the lifetime of the component. Current proposals for fusion first walls and divertors include structures fabricated by bonding two different metals together. The plasma side material is chosen to minimize sputtering; the coolant side material is chosen to maximize heat transfer. The structural response of such a design is not well known. Accordingly, a one dimensional inelastic stress analysis of a thin walled shell element has been performed. The stress analysis can include temperature dependent material properties, radiation induced swelling, thermal and irradiation creep, and thermal expansion. Furthermore, a simple equation has been derived for the case of a duplex plate constrained from bending. The stress distribution through the plate is followed with time. It is shown that the initial stress distribution evolves with time until some near steady state distribution is approached. The evolution is dependent on swelling and particularly on creep.