Materials needs for compact fusion reactors

Conference · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3115(84)90572-5· OSTI ID:5733840

Krakowski, R A

The economic prospects for magnetic fusion energy can be dramatically improved if for the same total power output the fusion neutron first-wall (FW) loading and the system power density can be increased by factors of 3 to 5 and 10 to 30, respectively. A number of compact fusion reactor embodiments have been proposed, all of which would operate with increased FW loadings, would use thin (0.5 to 0.6 m) blankets, and would confine quasi-steady-state plasma with resistive, water-cooled copper or aluminum coils. Increased system power density (5 to 15 MWt/m/sup 3/ versus 0.3 to 0.5 MW/m/sup 3/), considerably reduced physical size of the fusion power core (FPC), and appreciably reduced economic leverage exerted by the FPC and associated physics result. The unique materials requirements anticipated for these compact reactors are outlined against the well documented backdrop provided by similar needs for the mainline approaches. Surprisingly, no single materials need that is unique to the compact systems is identified; crucial uncertainties for the compact approaches must also be addressed by the mainline approaches, particularly for in-vacuum components (FWs, limiters, divertors, etc.).

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5733840
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-83-2570; CONF-830942-39; ON: DE84001366
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 122; Journal Issue: 1-3; Conference: 3. topical meeting on fusion reactor materials, Albuquerque, NM, USA, 19 Sep 1983; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COMPACT TORUS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR MATERIALS
INFORMATION NEEDS
BREEDING BLANKETS
DIVERTORS
FIRST WALL
LIMITERS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
MATERIALS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR WALLS
TORI
700209* - Fusion Power Plant Technology- Component Development & Materials Testing