Results of an international study on a high-volume plasma-based neutron source for fusion blanket development

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Fusion Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.13182/FST96-3· OSTI ID:249613

Abdou, M A; Ying, A ^[1]; Berk, S E ^[2]

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1. Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
2. Department of Energy, Washington, DC (United States); and others

A number of scenarios for fusion facilities were evaluated using a cost/benefit/risk analysis approach. Blanket tests in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) alone with a fluence of 1 MW.yr/m{sup 2} can address most of the needs for concept verification, but it cannot adequately address the blanket component reliability growth/demonstration testing requirements. An effective path to fusion DEMO is suggested. It involves two parallel facilities: (a) ITER to provide data on plasma performance, plasma support technology, and system integration and (b) a high-volume plasma-based neutron source (HVPNS) dedicated to testing, developing, and qualifying fusion nuclear components and material combinations for DEMO. For HVPNS to be attractive and cost effective, its capital cost must be significantly lower than ITER, and it should have low fusion power (nearly 150 MW). Exploratory studies indicate the presence of a design window with a highly driven plasma. A testing and development strategy that includes HVPNS would decisively reduce the high risk of initial DEMO operation with a poor blanket system availability and would make it possible - if operated parallel to the ITER basic performance phase - to meet the goal of DEMO operation by the year 2025. Such a scenario with HVPNS parallel to ITER provides substantial savings in the overall R&D cost toward DEMO compared with an ITER-alone strategy. 75 refs., 13 figs., 31 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 249613
• Journal Information: Fusion Technology, Journal Name: Fusion Technology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 29; ISSN 0748-1896; ISSN FUSTE8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BREEDING BLANKETS
COST
DESIGN
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
ITER TOKAMAK
NEUTRON SOURCES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
TESTING
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS