Operating large controlled thermonuclear fusion research facilities
The MIT Tara Tandem Mirror is a large, state of the art controlled thermonuclear fusion research facility. Over the six years of its design, implementation, and operation, every effort was made to minimize cost and maximize performance by using the best and latest hardware, software, and scientific and operational techniques. After reviewing all major DOE fusion facilities, an independent DOE review committee concluded that the Tara operation was the most automated and efficient of all DOE facilities. This paper includes a review of the key elements of the Tara design, construction, operation, management, physics milestones, and funding that led to this success. We emphasize a chronological description of how the system evolved from the proposal stage to a mature device with an emphasis on the basic philosophies behind the implementation process. This description can serve both as a qualitative and quantitative database for future large experiment planning. It includes actual final costs and manpower spent as well as actual run and maintenance schedules, number of data shots, major system failures, etc. The paper concludes with recommendations for the next generation of facilities. 13 refs., 15 figs., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Plasma Fusion Center
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-78ET51013
- OSTI ID:
- 5702302
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ET/51013-236; PFC/CP-87-17; CONF-871007-64; ON: DE88002591
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 12. symposium on fusion engineering, Monterey, CA, USA, 12 Oct 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
WE-A-16A-01: International Medical Physics Symposium: Increasing Access to Medical Physics Education/Training and Research Excellence
National Ignition Facility monthly status report-January 2000