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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.
H. Hashizume, K. Yuki, N. Seto, A. Sagara
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 56 | Number 2 | August 2009 | Pages 892-896
Test Blanket Modules | Eighteenth Topical Meeting on the Technology of Fusion Energy (Part 2) | doi.org/10.13182/FST09-A9023
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By changing the composition ratio in Flibe to decrease its melting temperature, it becomes possible to design the TBM under the temperature design limits for ferritic steel. The accompanied demerit due to the increase in viscosity and degradation in heat transfer performance is overcome by introducing sphere-packed pipe as the first wall. The empirical correlation for heat transfer performance is derived for several sizes and materials of the spheres. Through the present analysis, there exist design windows for the Flibe TBM. This possibility is strongly linked to the demo reactor development since the structural material development for higher temperature condition can lead to the usage of Flibe with higher melting temperature and better heat transfer performance, which could be available under higher heat flux in the demo reactor.