Whither fusion research

Conference · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · J. Fusion Energy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6936098

Hirsch, R L

The author maintains that the magnetic fusion program is ready for a dramatic change of course. The author's criteria for a desirable fusion power reactor are: it must produce power at a competitive price; it must work with high reliability and maintenance must be easy, fast and low cost, and that the fusion reactor must be safe and not damage the environment. The author's feelings are based on years of observation of the utility industry in general and commercial nuclear power development in particular. The author's views on the undesirability of tokamaks are discussed. Two concepts discussed as alternatives are the Reversed Field Pinch (RFP) and the spheromak.

• Research Organization: Arco Oil and Gas Co., Dallas, TX
• OSTI ID: 6936098
• Report Number(s): CONF-850157-
• Journal Information: J. Fusion Energy; (United States), Vol. 5:2; Conference: Fusion Power Associates symposium on the search for attractive fusion concepts, La Jolla, CA, USA, 31 Jan 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
COMMERCIALIZATION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
COMPETITION
EXPERIMENT PLANNING
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
REACTOR SAFETY
RELIABILITY
REVERSE-FIELD PINCH
SPHEROMAK DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR IGNITION
TOKAMAK TYPE REACTORS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
MAINTENANCE
PINCH EFFECT
PLANNING
SAFETY
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TOKAMAK DEVICES
700200* - Fusion Energy- Fusion Power Plant Technology
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology