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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.
N. A. Uckan, S. Putvinski, J. Wesley, H-W. Bartels, T. Honda, T. Amano, D. Boucher, N. Fujisawa, D. Post, M. Rosenbluth
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 30 | Number 3 | December 1996 | Pages 551-557
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/FST96-A11962996
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Plasma operation conditions and physics requirements to be used as a basis for safety analysis studies are developed and physics results motivated by safety considerations are presented for the ITER design. Physics guidelines and specifications for enveloping plasma dynamic events for Category I (operational event), Category II (likely event), and Category III (unlikely event) are characterized. Safety related physics areas that are considered are: (i) the effect of plasma on machine and safety (runaway electrons) and (ii) plasma response to ex-vessel LOCA from the first wall, providing a potential passive plasma shutdown due to Be evaporation. Physics models and expressions developed are implemented in a safety analysis code (SAFALY, couples 0-D dynamic plasma model to thermal response of the in-vessel components). Results from SAFALY are presented.