Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: If fusion power reactors are to be feasible, it will still be necessary to convert the energy of the nuclear reaction into usable form. The heat produced will be removed from the reactor core by a primary coolant, which might be water, helium, molten lithium-lead, molten lithium-containing salt, or CO 2 . The heat could then be transferred to a conventional Rankine cycle or Brayton (gas turbine) cycle. Alternatively, it could be used for thermochemical processes such as producing hydrogen or other transport fuels. Fusion presents new problems because of the high energy neutrons released. These affect the selection of materials and the operating temperature, ultimately determining the choice of coolant and working cycle. The limited temperature ranges allowed by present day irradiated structural materials, combined with the large internal power demand of the plant, will limit the overall thermal efficiency. The operating conditions of the fusion power source, the materials, coolant, and energy conversion system will all need to be closely integrated.
Authors: M Kovari, C Harrington, I Jenkins, C Kiely
Institutions: Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, Culham Science Centre
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Award: G2923875727
OpenAlex ID: W2107652178