Systems studies and optimization of the ARIES-CS power plant

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2008 · Fusion Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.2897324· OSTI ID:1014258

Lyon, J. ^[1]; Ku, L. P. ^[2]; Bromberg, L. ^[3]; Wagner, L. ^[4]; Zarnstorff, M. C. ^[2]

---

1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
2. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
4. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, MO

stellarator systems/optimization code is used to optimize the ARIES-CS fusion power plant parameters for minimum cost of electricity subject to a large number of physics, engineering, and in-vessel component constraints for a compact stellarator configuration. Different physics models, reactor component models, and costing algorithms are used to test sensitivities to models and assumptions. The most important factors determining the size of the fusion power core are the allowable neutron and radiative power fluxes to the wall, the distance needed between the edge of the plasma and the nonplanar magnetic field coils for the intervening components, and an adequate tritium breeding ratio. The magnetic field and coil parameters are determined from both plasma performance and constraints on the Nb3Sn superconductor. The same costing approach and algorithms used in previous ARIES studies are used with updated material costs. The result is a compact stellarator reactor with a major radius close to that of tokamaks. A one-dimensional power balance code is used to study the path to ignition and the effect of different plasma and confinement assumptions on plasma performance for the reference plasma and coil configuration. A number of variations are studied that affect the size and cost of the fusion power core: maximum field at the coils, component cost penalties, a different blanket and shield approach, alternative plasma and coil configurations, etc. Comparisons are made with some earlier ARIES power plant studies. A number of issues for the development of compact quasi-axisymmetric stellarators are identified.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1014258
• Journal Information: Fusion Science and Technology, Journal Name: Fusion Science and Technology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 54; ISSN 1071-1023
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALGORITHMS
BREEDING RATIO
CONFIGURATION
CONFINEMENT
ELECTRICITY
IGNITION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NEUTRONS
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICS
PLASMA
POWER PLANTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
SHIELDS
STELLARATORS
TRITIUM