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Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
In transition: Commercializing fusion power
Commercial fusion power is closer than ever. There are now around 30 U.S. fusion companies, several of which claim to be on track to connect to the grid as early as the 2030s.
Tokamak and laser inertial confinement approaches benefit from decades of research at facilities such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and ITER, with alternative concepts including stellarator, magnetic mirror, and Z-pinch confinement also making notable progress as private and government funding for fusion increases.
Mark L. Williams
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 155 | Number 1 | January 2007 | Pages 18-36
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE06-11
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Equations for sensitivity coefficients of eigenvalue-difference responses such as reactivity are derived from a unified approach based on both eigenvalue and generalized perturbation theory. The sensitivity coefficients are utilized for uncertainty analysis of reactivity responses, and it is shown that these types of responses have inherently larger relative uncertainties than eigenvalue responses. Monte Carlo calculations are used to apply the methodology to the analysis of the coolant void reactivity in a three-dimensional model of a fuel bundle in an advanced CANDU reactor system. The important data sensitivities are identified, and it is shown that the coolant void reactivity has a large uncertainty due to nuclear data uncertainties.