Magnetic and Inertial Fusion Status and Development Plans
Title | Magnetic and Inertial Fusion Status and Development Plans PDF eBook |
Author | |
Publisher | |
Pages | |
Release | 1987 |
Genre | |
ISBN |
Controlled fusion, pursued by investigators in both the magnetic and inertial confinement research programs, continues to be a strong candidate as an intrinsically safe and virtually inexhaustible long-term energy source. We describe the status of magnetic and inertial confinement fusion in terms of the accomplishments made by the research programs for each concept. The improvement in plasma parameters (most frequently discussed in terms of the Tn tau product of ion temperature, T, density, n, and confinement time, tau) can be linked with the construction and operation of experimental facilities. The scientific progress exhibited by larger scale fusion experiments within the US, such as Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory's Fusion Test Reactor for magnetic studies and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Nova laser for inertial studies, has been optimized by the theoretical advances in plasma and computational physics. Both TFTR and Nova have exhibited ion temperatures in excess of 10 keV at confinement parameters of n tau near 1013 cm−3 . sec. At slightly lower temperatures (near a few keV), the value of n tau has exceeded 1014 cm−3 . sec in both devices. Near-term development plans in fusion research include experiments within the US, Europe, and Japan to improve the plasma performance to reach conditions where the rate of fusion energy production equals or exceeds the heating power incident upon the plasma. 9 refs., 7 figs.
Review of the Magnetic Fusion Program of the Department of Energy
Title | Review of the Magnetic Fusion Program of the Department of Energy PDF eBook |
Author | United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Technology. Subcommittee on Fossil and Nuclear Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration |
Publisher | |
Pages | 160 |
Release | 1978 |
Genre | Fusion reactors |
ISBN |
Fusion power by magnetic confinement, program plan
Title | Fusion power by magnetic confinement, program plan PDF eBook |
Author | United States. Energy Research and Development Administration. Division of Magnetic Fusion Energy |
Publisher | |
Pages | 20 |
Release | 1976 |
Genre | |
ISBN |
An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy
Title | An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy PDF eBook |
Author | Committee on the Prospects for Inertial Confinement Fusion Energy Systems |
Publisher | National Academies Press |
Pages | 247 |
Release | 2013-07-19 |
Genre | Business & Economics |
ISBN | 030927222X |
The potential for using fusion energy to produce commercial electric power was first explored in the 1950s. Harnessing fusion energy offers the prospect of a nearly carbon-free energy source with a virtually unlimited supply of fuel. Unlike nuclear fission plants, appropriately designed fusion power plants would not produce the large amounts of high-level nuclear waste that requires long-term disposal. Due to these prospects, many nations have initiated research and development (R&D) programs aimed at developing fusion as an energy source. Two R&D approaches are being explored: magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE). An Assessment of the Prospects for Inertial Fusion Energy describes and assesses the current status of IFE research in the United States; compares the various technical approaches to IFE; and identifies the scientific and engineering challenges associated with developing inertial confinement fusion (ICF) in particular as an energy source. It also provides guidance on an R&D roadmap at the conceptual level for a national program focusing on the design and construction of an inertial fusion energy demonstration plant.
Fusion Power by Magnetic Confinement, Program Plan
Title | Fusion Power by Magnetic Confinement, Program Plan PDF eBook |
Author | United States. Energy Research and Development Administration. Division of Magnetic Fusion Energy |
Publisher | |
Pages | 0 |
Release | 1976 |
Genre | Controlled fusion |
ISBN |
DOE's Magnetic Fusion Program
Title | DOE's Magnetic Fusion Program PDF eBook |
Author | United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Subcommittee on Energy Research and Development |
Publisher | |
Pages | 248 |
Release | 1989 |
Genre | Energy policy |
ISBN |
Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets
Title | Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets PDF eBook |
Author | National Research Council |
Publisher | National Academies Press |
Pages | 119 |
Release | 2013-07-17 |
Genre | Science |
ISBN | 0309270626 |
In the fall of 2010, the Office of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Secretary for Science asked for a National Research Council (NRC) committee to investigate the prospects for generating power using inertial confinement fusion (ICF) concepts, acknowledging that a key test of viability for this concept-ignition -could be demonstrated at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the relatively near term. The committee was asked to provide an unclassified report. However, DOE indicated that to fully assess this topic, the committee's deliberations would have to be informed by the results of some classified experiments and information, particularly in the area of ICF targets and nonproliferation. Thus, the Panel on the Assessment of Inertial Confinement Fusion Targets ("the panel") was assembled, composed of experts able to access the needed information. The panel was charged with advising the Committee on the Prospects for Inertial Confinement Fusion Energy Systems on these issues, both by internal discussion and by this unclassified report. A Panel on Fusion Target Physics ("the panel") will serve as a technical resource to the Committee on Inertial Confinement Energy Systems ("the Committee") and will prepare a report that describes the R&D challenges to providing suitable targets, on the basis of parameters established and provided to the Panel by the Committee. The Panel on Fusion Target Physics will prepare a report that will assess the current performance of fusion targets associated with various ICF concepts in order to understand: 1. The spectrum output; 2. The illumination geometry; 3. The high-gain geometry; and 4. The robustness of the target design. The panel addressed the potential impacts of the use and development of current concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy on the proliferation of nuclear weapons information and technology, as appropriate. The Panel examined technology options, but does not provide recommendations specific to any currently operating or proposed ICF facility.