Fusion Energy Technology R&D Priorities

Fusion Technology R&D Priorities examines the current landscape of fusion technology. With a strong focus on technological advances, this book considers technical challenges and priorities to further the development of fusion research.
Beginning with an introduction to fusion technology research and development, this book then presents an overview of basic magnetic fusion concepts and worldwide pathways to fusion energy. Subsequent chapters then take a deep dive into fusion materials R&D, capabilities of potential neutron sources for materials testing, plasma facing components, and plasma diagnostics, heating, and control. Breeding blanket and tritium system, vacuum vessels, and the shielding system are also highlighted, before concluding with safety features and environmental and social issues.
Presenting the most advanced developments in nuclear fusion R&D, this is an essential read for researchers and engineers interested in nuclear energy and fusion technology.

Title of Book
Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Contributors
About the editor
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Overview of basic magnetic fusion concepts
Typical configurations of seven magnetic confinement concepts
Worldwide tokamak experimental facilities
Fusion radiation environment and heat loads
Technology readiness levels
Fusion licensing and regulations
Worldwide timeline for fusion energy
Chapter 3. Fusion materials R&D
Overview
Reduced-activation steels
Potential tungsten alloys
SiC/SiC composites
Vanadium alloys
Modeling and simulation of fusion materials
Chapter 3.1. Status and future development of Japanese reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel F82H
Introduction
Key microstructural feature of F82H
Fabrication and application
On-going R&D activities
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 3.2. Status of European reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel EUROFER97
Historic background
Production of semifinished products
Applications
In-vessel components of fusion power plants (DEMO and beyond)
ITER European test blanket module
Accelerator facilities
Ongoing activities/research
Manufacturing
Joining and heat treatment
TBM fabrication
Licensing, codes and standards, materials property handbook for EUROFER97
Production and fine-tuning
Material compatibility and technology validation
Irradiation data
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 3.3. Status of U.S. reduced activation bainitic steel
Introduction
Applications
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of bainitic steels for fusion energy
Chapter 3.4. Tungsten alloys R&D program at KIT
Ongoing activities/research
Powder injection molding (pure and doped tungsten)
Lamination (pipes and plates)
Electron beam melting (EBM)
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 3.5. Tungsten heavy alloys
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 3.6. Dispersion-strengthened tungsten alloy composites
Research and on-going activities
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 3.7. Tungsten alloy developments in Japan
Abbreviations
Chapter 3.8. SiC/SiC composites
Introduction
Applications
Status of material development
Challenges and R&D priorities
Chapter 3.9. Vanadium alloys
Introduction
Applications and requirements
Candidate alloys and fabrication technology
Joining, coating, and compatibility
Ongoing effort for further improvement of vanadium alloy properties
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
He effects
Dissimilar joining
Coating and compatibility in other coolant systems
Summary
Chapter 3.10. Modelling and simulation of fusion materials
Introduction
Fundamentals
Modelling methodology
Future priorities
Chapter 4. Capabilities of potential neutron sources for fusion materials testing
Overview
Chapter 4.1. The U.S. approach to a fusion prototypic neutron source
Chapter 4.2. DEMO Oriented Neutron Source (IFMIF-DONES)—Spain
Introduction
Brief technical description of IFMIF-DONES
The high-flux test module
Other irradiation modules inside the test cell
Other irradiation facilities
Applications
Future R&D priorities
Chapter 4.3. Fusion neutron source (A-FNS)—Japan
Introduction
Basic concept of A-FNS
Test module
Future irradiation planning for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 4.4. High intensity neutron generator (HINEG-CAS)—China
Introduction
Applications
Neutronics research
Neutron radiation biology
Neutron radiography
Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA)
Ongoing activities/research
Magnesium-based solid target research
Gas target system upgrade
Volumetric neutron source R&D
China-Korea cooperation on tritium breeding research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 4.5. Axisymmetric mirror linear neutron source
Introduction
Applications
Ongoing research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 5. Plasma facing components
Overview
Chapter 5.1. Challenges of plasma material interactions
Introduction
Postulation of the challenge
PMI in divertor
Erosion and redeposition
Evolution of plasma-facing materials
PMI with the first wall
Erosion and redeposition
Damage of the main chamber wall by excessive loads
Hydrogen retention
Potential solutions for plasma facing materials and components
Divertor PFCs
First wall PFCs
R&D path elements and priorities
Testing capabilities
Chapter 5.2. Helium-cooled divertor option and limitations
Introduction
Application
Ongoing activities and research
Future R&D priorities
Chapter 5.3. Water-cooled divertor option and limitations
Introduction
Water divertor architecture design
Plasma facing components
Nuclear behavior
Thermo-hydraulics
Safety
Chapter 5.4. Liquid metal walls
Introduction
Design studies
Ongoing experimental work and R&D activities
Additional R&D activities
R&D needs
Chapter 6. Plasma diagnostics, heating, and control
Overview
Chapter 6.1. Plasma diagnostics
Introduction and background
Role of diagnostics
Reactor environment challenges
New approach to critical measurements
Active areas of research and development
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 6.2. Plasma heating technology
Introduction
Application
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 6.3. Current drive technology
Introduction
RF technology
Application
Ongoing activities/research through JT-60SA and ITER
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
NB technology
Applications
Ongoing activities/research through JT-60SA and ITER
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 7. Breeding blanket and tritium system
Overview
Chapter 7.1. Blanket options
Chapter 7.2. Dual-coolant lead lithium blanket
Introduction
Application
Ongoing and needed R&D
MHD modeling
Flow channel inserts
Tritium extraction and permeation
Contamination control
Chapter 7.3. The water-cooled lithium–lead breeding blanket
Introduction
Application
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 7.4. Flibe/Flinabe blanket
Introduction
Twists and turns of research toward Flibe/Flinabe blanket
Rich track record by MSER
Exclusion by BCSS
Re-evaluation through FFHR, APEX, JUPITER-II and TITAN
Extension of research in Japan and Oroshhi-2
Applications
Ongoing fusion activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 7.5. Ceramic breeder blankets
Introduction
Applications
Ongoing activities and research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 7.6. Breeding potential and tritium self-sufficiency
Introduction
Applications
Ongoing activities and research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 7.7. Heat extraction, recovery, and power cycle
Introduction
Application
Ongoing and needed R&D
Chapter 7.8. Tritium modeling, extraction, migration, and accountability
Introduction
Tritium migration pathways
Tritium extraction from solid breeder of HCPB blanket
Tritium extraction from liquid breeder of WCLL blanket
Tritium accountability
R&D needs
Chapter 8. Vacuum vessel and shielding system
Overview
Chapter 8.1. ITER vacuum vessel
Introduction
Application
Past and current R&D activities
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 8.2. Vacuum vessel R&D needs for power plants
Introduction
Existing designs: Post-ITER facilities
Existing designs: Commercial facilities
Expected loads
Materials
R&D needs
Materials
R&D needs for materials include the following [26,28–31]
Structural criteria
Remote handling
Safety
Chapter 8.3. Shielding system and radiation protection
Introduction
Applications
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 8.4. ASME boiler & pressure vessel code Section III Division 4 construction rules for fusion energy
Introduction
Application
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Conclusion
Chapter 9. Safety features
Overview
Chapter 9.1. US fusion safety activities
Introduction
Applications and ongoing R&D activities
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 9.2. EU and French safety assessments
Introduction
Application
Ongoing activities/research
Explosion
Inventory control
Safety codes validation and verification
Waste management
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 9.3. Safety features—United Kingdom
Introduction
Historic application
Ongoing activities/research
Safety requirements & methodology
Accident scenarios for STEP
Safety measure derivation and codes/standards
Future R&D priorities for the safe commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 9.4. Safety features—Japan
Regulations of Japan's DEMO reactor
Safety requirements of the Japan's DEMO reactor
Accident scenarios of the Japan's DEMO reactor
Safety systems and design requirements for JA-DEMO
Safety analysis code for JA-DEMO
Summary
Chapter 9.5. Safety assessment in China
Introduction
Application
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 9.6. Safety assessments in the Republic of Korea
Introduction
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 10. Environmental and social issues
Overview
Chapter 10.1. Potential radwaste management approaches: Disposal, recycling, and clearance—United States
Introduction
Applications
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Recycling R&D priorities [1]
Clearance R&D priorities [1]
Chapter 10.2. Fusion radwaste management approaches in Europe
Introduction
Application
Recycling
Clearance
Disposal
Ongoing activities/research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 10.3. Fusion radwaste management approaches in Japan
Introduction
Present status of radioactive waste management
Ongoing activities and research for fusion reactor
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 10.4. Radwaste management approaches in China
Introduction
Applications
Ongoing activities and research
Future R&D priorities for the commercialization of fusion energy
Chapter 10.5. Recycling of fusion material and its predicted nuclide distribution
Introduction
Background
Clearance in Sweden
Recycling process for metal
Nuclide distribution and material differences
Results, radionuclide distribution in ingots and secondary waste
Literature comparison
Conclusion and outlook for fusion facilities
Chapter 10.6. Socially engaged approach to fusion technology development
Introduction
Applications
Ongoing research
Human-centered and participatory technology design
Participatory and sociotechnical technology assessments
Future research, design, development, and deployment priorities for commercializing fusion energy
Index

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health

Fusion Energy Technology R&D Priorities

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Laila El-Guebaly