Engineering feasibility evaluation of blanket concepts for Blanket Comparison and Selection Study

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Fusion Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5876783

Morgan, G D; Bowers, D A; Ruester, D E

The primary goal of the Blanket Comparison and Selection Study was the selection of a limited number of fusion power reactor blanket concepts to provide the focus for the U.S. blanket research and development (R and D) program. To facilitate that selection, a comparison methodology and a set of evaluation criteria were developed for four separate areas of evaluation: engineering feasibility; economics; safety; R and D requirements. Both the methodology for and the results of the engineering feasibility evaluation are discussed. Seven categories of weighted evaluation criteria were developed. Of these, tritium breeding/inventory and engineering complexity/fabrication were considered the most important with weightings totaling half the possible points. Other categories included maintenance and repair, resource usage, accommodation of power variation, increased capabilities, and startup/shutdown requirements. The 16 top-ranked blanket concepts were evaluated separately for tokamaks and tandem mirror reactors (TMRs). Results indicate distinct differences for most categories among concepts grouped by coolant: liquid metals, pressurized water, helium, and nitrate salt. Overall differences in scores are larger for tokamak concepts than for TMR concepts, reflecting the more difficult design problems due to higher magnetic field strength, higher first-wall surface heating and particle flux, and the more complex geometry of the fusion core. Conclusions for specific evaluation categories and for tokamak and TMR concept groups are presented.

• Research Organization: McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company, St. Louis, MO
• OSTI ID: 5876783
• Journal Information: Fusion Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fusion Technol.; (United States) Vol. 8:1; ISSN FUSTE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700201* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Blanket Engineering
BREEDING BLANKETS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COOLANTS
DESIGN
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FUNCTIONS
MAGNETIC MIRROR TYPE REACTORS
MATERIALS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR MATERIALS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TMR REACTORS
TOKAMAK TYPE REACTORS
WEIGHTING FUNCTIONS