02.08.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

evaluate, through advanced design and system studies, alternative configurations and<br />

designs <strong>for</strong> FnsF and the extent to which they address the research requirements.<br />

develop predictive modeling capability <strong>for</strong> nuclear components and associated<br />

systems that are science-based, well-coupled, and validated by experiments and data<br />

collection.<br />

extend models to cover synergistic physical phenomena <strong>for</strong> prediction and<br />

interpretation of integrated tests (e.g., iteR test blanket module — tbm) and <strong>for</strong><br />

optimization of systems.<br />

develop methodologies to integrate with plasma models to jointly supply key first<br />

wall and divertor temperature and stress levels, electromagnetic responses, surface<br />

erosion, etc.<br />

Motivation and background<br />

a broad-based ef<strong>for</strong>t is needed to understand, model and evaluate the various components, subsystems<br />

and processes that must be integrated to create an acceptable fusion power plant (including<br />

closing the tritium fuel cycle and efficiently harnessing the fusion power). This will provide<br />

understanding of very complex interrelated behavior of systems that is otherwise difficult to anticipate,<br />

and could dramatically reduce the cost and risk of future R&d. Thrust 13 and 14 research<br />

focuses on the fusion fuel cycle, power extraction and materials, and modeling tools that will be<br />

developed and used to investigate specific aspects supporting this R&d. Thrust 15 focuses on integration;<br />

it includes conducting integrated advanced design studies focused primarily on demo,<br />

but also on nearer term fusion nuclear facilities, and integrating simulation models. The integrated<br />

models will simulate increasingly complex, coupled aspects of the fusion plant with a focus on<br />

the plasma chamber, breeding blanket, fuel cycle and power extraction.<br />

integrated advanced Design Studies<br />

1. Integrated concept development and system studies. a key element of this Thrust is an<br />

advanced integrated design ef<strong>for</strong>t <strong>for</strong> next-step experimental fusion nuclear facilities and demo.<br />

an FnsF has been proposed as a next-step device to fully establish the engineering feasibility,<br />

reliability, safety, fuel sustainability, and per<strong>for</strong>mance verification of the plasma chamber<br />

components with significant neutron flux and fluence, long continuous operating time, and with<br />

the buildup of transmutation products in prototypic materials. The first stage of an FnsF ef<strong>for</strong>t<br />

should include: defining its mission and requirements, and conducting conceptual design and<br />

system studies of different options to better assess their expected per<strong>for</strong>mance and capability<br />

and the extent to which they address the research requirements.<br />

design and system studies, such as those per<strong>for</strong>med as part of the aRies program, have proven<br />

extremely valuable in charting the path to fusion power and guiding research toward high leverage,<br />

high pay-off activities. as we move <strong>for</strong>ward, we see this evolving into much more detailed design<br />

activities <strong>for</strong> demo with a substantially larger scale ef<strong>for</strong>t. This will enable a thorough understanding<br />

of the integrated per<strong>for</strong>mance (including Rami and safety) of fusion systems, which<br />

will ultimately lead to procuring components and building facilities, similar to the detailed designs<br />

<strong>for</strong> iteR. other countries, such as the eU and Japan, are also pursuing ef<strong>for</strong>ts on demo and<br />

this activity will include coordination with them (<strong>for</strong> example, through organized workshops).<br />

352

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!