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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.
Mohamed S. El-Genk, Timothy M. Schriener, Ragai Altamimi, Andrew Hahn
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 197 | Number 12 | December 2023 | Pages 3082-3109
Regular Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2023.2190723
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The Extended Length Test Article–Cartridge Lead is a test assembly for conducting in-pile research in the Versatile Test Reactor to support the advanced molten lead–cooled reactor under development at the Westinghouse Company. This work investigates four pumping options for circulating molten lead at 500°C and develops an integrated thermal-hydraulic model to estimate the demand curves. The four pumping options fit within cartridge riser tubes that are 57.0 and 68.8 mm in diameter. These options are (1) gas lift pumping, (2) the miniature submerged annular linear induction pump, (3) the miniature submerged direct-current electromagnetic pump, and (4) the miniature axial-centrifugal flow mechanical pump. Gas lift pumping is the simplest and is fully passive with no heat dissipation, but it generates the lowest pumping pressure and flow rate. The mechanical pump and direct-current electromagnetic pump generate the highest pumping pressures, flow rates, and average velocities of molten Pb in the test article of three-fuel rodlets in a triangular lattice. The mechanical pump designs provide the highest flow velocities in the test article and the slowest decrease in pumping pressure with increased flow rate at low thermal power dissipation. The optimized electromagnetic pump designs with no moving parts and elevated temperature ALNICO-5 permanent magnets meet or exceed the target flow velocities in the test article but at higher rate of heat dissipation than the mechanical pump designs.