Prospects for pilot plants based on the tokamak, spherical tokamak and stellarator.
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- ORNL
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciene, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Fusion Nuclear Technology Consulting, Germany
- University of Wisconsin
- Inistitute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
- Israel Ministry of Defense, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Consultant
A potentially attractive next-step towards fusion commercialization is a pilot plant, i.e. a device ultimately capable of small net electricity production in as compact a facility as possible and in a configuration scalable to a full-size power plant. A key capability for a pilot-plant programme is the production of high neutron fluence enabling fusion nuclear science and technology (FNST) research. It is found that for physics and technology assumptions between those assumed for ITER and nth-of-a-kind fusion power plant, it is possible to provide FNST-relevant neutron wall loading in pilot devices. Thus, it may be possible to utilize a single facility to perform FNST research utilizing reactor-relevant plasma, blanket, coil and auxiliary systems and maintenance schemes while also targeting net electricity production. In this paper three configurations for a pilot plant are considered: the advanced tokamak, spherical tokamak and compact stellarator. A range of configuration issues is considered including: radial build and blanket design, magnet systems, maintenance schemes, tritium consumption and self-sufficiency, physics scenarios and a brief assessment of research needs for the configurations.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1037673
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear Fusion, Vol. 51, Issue 103014
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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