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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.
Jean-François Pignatel, Pierre Richard, Gerald Rimpault, Julian Murgatroyd, Richard Stainsby, Michael Schikorr, Evaldas Bubelis, Sophie Larmignat, Antony Woaye Hune, Danas Ridikas, Alan Takibayev
Nuclear Technology | Volume 180 | Number 2 | November 2012 | Pages 264-296
Technical Paper | Accelerators | doi.org/10.13182/NT11-97
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
In order to reduce the volume and the radiotoxicity of the nuclear waste coming from the operation of existing pressurized water reactors, accelerator-driven systems (ADSs) have been envisioned.The Helium-cooled (He) European Facility for Industrial-scale Transmutation (He-EFIT) concept is the EUROpean Research Programme for the TRANSmutation of High Level Nuclear Waste in Accelerator Driven System (EUROTRANS) Integrated Project (IP) (EUROTRANS IP) backup option, whereas Pb-cooled EFIT is the reference one. The plant has a power of [approximately]400 MW(thermal). Like all ADS plants, it consists of three main components: the accelerator, the spallation target module, and the subcritical core.This paper describes the He-EFIT design at the end of the EUROTRANS IP as well as the studies performed to support this design: spallation performances, trasmutation capabilities, and plant safety analyses.No specific technology deadlock has been identified, and it might be possible to build such a plant given necessary research and development in support.
