Fusion research started over half a century ago. Although the task remains unfinished, the end of the road could be in sight if society makes the right decisions. Nuclear Fusion: Half a Century of Magnetic Confinement Fusion Research is a careful, scholarly account of the course of fusion energy research over the past fifty years. The authors outline the different paths followed by fusion research from initial ignorance to present understanding. They explore why a particular scheme would not work and why it was more profitable to concentrate on the mainstream tokamak development. The book features descriptive sections, in-depth explanations of certain physical and technical issues, scientific terms, and an extensive glossary that explains relevant abbreviations and acronyms.
It became clear in the early days of fusion research that the effects of the containment vessel (erosion of "impurities") degrade the overall fusion plasma performance. Progress in controlled nuclear fusion research over the last decade has led to magnetically confined plasmas that, in turn, are sufficiently powerful to damage the vessel structures over its lifetime. This book reviews current understanding and concepts to deal with this remaining critical design issue for fusion reactors. It reviews both progress and open questions, largely in terms of available and sought-after plasma-surface interaction data and atomic/molecular data related to these "plasma edge" issues.
Fusion Reactor Design Provides a detailed overview of fusion reactor design, written by an international leader in the field Nuclear fusion—generating four times as much energy from the same mass of fuel as nuclear fission—is regarded by its proponents as a viable, eco-friendly alternative to gas-fired, coal-fired, and conventional power plants. Although the physics of nuclear fusion is essentially understood, the construction of prototype reactors currently presents significant technical challenges. Fusion Reactor Design: Plasma Physics, Fuel Cycle System, Operation and Maintenance provides a systematic, reader-friendly introduction to the characteristics, components, and critical systems of fusion reactors. Focusing on the experimental Tokamak reactor, this up-to-date resource covers relevant plasma physics, necessary technology, analysis methods, and the other aspects of fusion reactors. In-depth chapters include derivations of key formulas, figures highlighting physical and structural characteristics of fusion reactors, illustrative numerical calculations, practical design examples, and more. Designed to help researchers and engineers understand and overcome the technological difficulties in making fusion power a reality, this volume: Provides in-depth knowledge on controlled thermonuclear fusion and its large-scale application in both current fusion reactors and future test reactors Covers plasma analysis, plasma equilibrium and stability, and plasma transport and confinement, and safety considerations Explains each component of fusion reactors, including divertors, superconducting coils, plasma heating and current drive systems, and vacuum vessels Discusses safety aspects of fusion reactors as well as computational approaches to safety aspects of fusion reactors Fusion Reactor Design: Plasma Physics, Fuel Cycle System, Operation and Maintenance is required reading for undergraduate and graduate students studying plasma physics and fusion reactor technology, and an important reference for nuclear physicists, nuclear reactor manufacturers, and power engineers involved in fusion reactor research and advanced technology development.
Fusion neutron sources have many important practical uses, including triggering fission reactions, manufacturing medical isotopes, testing materials and components for use in future fusion power reactors, and facilitating the production of various isotopes like tritium. All these applications can be potentially improved by achieving high energy compact fusion neutron sources (CFNSs). The present publication is a compilation of the main results and findings of an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP) on the development of concepts and conceptual designs for both low and high power CFNSs. Through the collaboration of experts in the participating Member States, the results achieved under the project laid the foundation for practical applications of intense fusion neutron sources.
Providing up-to-date numerical data across a range of topics related to renewable energy technologies, Renewable Energies and CO2 offers a one-stop source of key information to engineers, economists and all other professionals working in the energy and climate change sectors. The most relevant up-to-date numerical data are exposed in 201 tables and graphs, integrated in terms of units and methodology, and covering topics such as energy system capacities and lifetimes, production costs, energy payback ratios, carbon emissions, external costs, patents and literature statistics. The data are first presented and then analyzed to project potential future grid, heat and fuel parity scenarios, as well as future technology tendencies in different energy technological areas. Innovative highlights and descriptions of preproduction energy systems and components from the past four years have been gathered from selected journals and international energy departments from G20 countries. As the field develops, readers are invited and encouraged to contact the authors for feedback and comments. The ongoing data collection and analysis will be used – after proper acknowledgment of contributors - to develop new editions. In this way, it is ensured that Renewable Energies and CO2 will remain an up-to-date resource for all those working with or involved in renewable energy, climate change, energy storage, carbon capture and smart grids.
Magnetic Fusion Technology describes the technologies that are required for successful development of nuclear fusion power plants using strong magnetic fields. These technologies include: • magnet systems, • plasma heating systems, • control systems, • energy conversion systems, • advanced materials development, • vacuum systems, • cryogenic systems, • plasma diagnostics, • safety systems, and • power plant design studies. Magnetic Fusion Technology will be useful to students and to specialists working in energy research.
Fundamentals of Magnetic Thermonuclear Reactor Design is a comprehensive resource on fusion technology and energy systems written by renowned scientists and engineers from the Russian nuclear industry. It brings together a wealth of invaluable experience and knowledge on controlled thermonuclear fusion (CTF) facilities with magnetic plasma confinement – from the first semi-commercial tokamak T-3, to the multi-billion international experimental thermonuclear reactor ITER, now in construction in France. As the INTOR and ITER projects have made an immense contribution in the past few decades, this book focuses on its practical engineering aspects and the basics of technical physics and electrical engineering. Users will gain an understanding of the key ratios between plasma and technical parameters, design streamlining algorithms and engineering solutions. - Written by a team of qualified experts who have been involved in the design of thermonuclear reactors for over 50 years - Outlines the most important features of the ITER project in France which is building the largest tokamak, including the design, material selection, safety and economic considerations - Includes data on how to design magnetic fusion reactors using CAD tools, along with relevant regulatory documents
This textbook accommodates the two divergent developmental paths which have become solidly established in the field of fusion energy: the process of sequential tokamak development toward a prototype and the need for a more fundamental and integrative research approach before costly design choices are made.Emphasis is placed on the development of physically coherent and mathematically clear characterizations of the scientific and technological foundations of fusion energy which are specifically suitable for a first course on the subject. Of interest, therefore, are selected aspects of nuclear physics, electromagnetics, plasma physics, reaction dynamics, materials science, and engineering systems, all brought together to form an integrated perspective on nuclear fusion and its practical utilization.The book identifies several distinct themes. The first is concerned with preliminary and introductory topics which relate to the basic and relevant physical processes associated with nuclear fusion. Then, the authors undertake an analysis of magnetically confined, inertially confined, and low-temperature fusion energy concepts. Subsequently, they introduce the important blanket domains surrounding the fusion core and discuss synergetic fusion-fission systems. Finally, they consider selected conceptual and technological subjects germane to the continuing development of fusion energy systems.
In the fall of 2010, the Office of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Secretary for Science asked for a National Research Council (NRC) committee to investigate the prospects for generating power using inertial confinement fusion (ICF) concepts, acknowledging that a key test of viability for this concept-ignition -could be demonstrated at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the relatively near term. The committee was asked to provide an unclassified report. However, DOE indicated that to fully assess this topic, the committee's deliberations would have to be informed by the results of some classified experiments and information, particularly in the area of ICF targets and nonproliferation. Thus, the Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets ("the panel") was assembled, composed of experts able to access the needed information. The panel was charged with advising the Committee on the Prospects for Inertial Confinement Fusion Energy Systems on these issues, both by internal discussion and by this unclassified report. A Panel on Fusion Target Physics ("the panel") will serve as a technical resource to the Committee on Inertial Confinement Energy Systems ("the Committee") and will prepare a report that describes the R&D challenges to providing suitable targets, on the basis of parameters established and provided to the Panel by the Committee. The Panel on Fusion Target Physics will prepare a report that will assess the current performance of fusion targets associated with various ICF concepts in order to understand: 1. The spectrum output; 2. The illumination geometry; 3. The high-gain geometry; and 4. The robustness of the target design. The panel addressed the potential impacts of the use and development of current concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy on the proliferation of nuclear weapons information and technology, as appropriate. The Panel examined technology options, but does not provide recommendations specific to any currently operating or proposed ICF facility.
