Research Needs for Magnetic Fusion Energy Sciences - US Burning ...

• integration of knowledge base into models capable to predict component behavior
beyond parameters of the experimental database and acceptable to design and license
components for demo.
• adequate knowledge to evaluate alternatives to mainline concepts and materials for
blankets, first walls, and divertors with either different feasibility issues, or potential for
increased margin or performance.
• Understanding how multiple power extraction systems, components and processes should
be most effectively integrated to maximize performance, safety, reliability, and economy.
Progress toward the resolution of these power extraction gaps will only occur through a complementary
and well-integrated program of computational modeling and well instrumented experimental
campaigns, at first in laboratory test facilities, and later in increasingly integrated, dedicated
facilities. There is still significant fundamental, separate effect research that must be undertaken,
particularly in understanding fluid flow, heat and mass transfer effects, and material
science and chemistry issues. The capability to perform multiple-effect to fully integrated fusion
environment experiments is also a key. a set of experimental test facilities that can access different
combinations of fusion relevant parameter ranges in magnetic field, heating, temperature,
neutron and plasma energy and intensity will be required to advance the technological readiness
level for power extraction beyond the current level.
access to a fully integrated fusion environment suitable for testing of integrated experiments will
also be necessary. The significant interactions among plasma, fuel cycle, power extraction, materials,
safety, and reliability have to be investigated in an integrated fashion. For instance, utilizing
iteR as a test environment will allow the initial exploration of synergistic effects, especially for
prompt thermo-mechanical and thermo-fluid flow phenomena, including all-important environmental
conditions for fusion. a more intense integrated fusion environment with longer pulses
and more intense neutron irradiation will also be required. We envision a dedicated facility to produce
such conditions, possibly based on a driven fusion plasma neutron source. in such a facility,
larger scale, multiple mockups of blanket, first wall, divertor, and shield components can be exposed
to a prototypical environment for significant time and with significant radiation damage.
only through such experimentation can we gain both the full understanding and confidence in
components necessary for the final step to a demo reactor.
to properly perform this experimental science campaign, measurement techniques, sensors, attachments,
and data transmission and processing systems will be required for temperature, flow,
strain, pressure, vibration, leak detection, irradiation characteristics and many others. These measurement
technologies must be compatible with a wide range of temperatures, materials, plasma,
irradiation, and electromagnetic conditions. They must be integrated into experiments and modules
without disturbing the function of the component or the phenomena being studied. significant
effort is required to prepare for and execute these increasingly integrated and challenging
experimental investigations.
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