Nuclear fusion: Inexhaustible source of energy for tomorrow
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to provide a general description of nuclear fusion as an energy option for the future and to clarify to some extent the various issues (scientific, technological, economic and environmental) which are likely to be relevant to controlled thermonuclear fusion. Section 1 describes the world energy problem and some advantages of nuclear fusion compared to other energy options. Sections 2 and 3 describe the fundamentals of fusion energy, plasma confinement, heating, and technological aspects of fusion researches. Some plasma confinement schemes (tokamak, stellarator, and inertial confinement fusion) are described. The main experimental results and parameter devices are cited to illustrate the state of the art as of 1989. Various engineering problems associated with reactor design, magnetic systems, materials, plasma purity, fueling, blankets, environment, economics, and safety are discussed. A description of both bilateral and multilateral efforts in fusion research under the auspices of the IAEA is presented in Section 4.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the 14th World Energy Conference
- Pub Date:
- September 1989
- Bibcode:
- 1989woen.conf...17L
- Keywords:
-
- Controlled Fusion;
- Economic Analysis;
- Plasma Control;
- Reactor Design;
- Safety Factors;
- Inertial Confinement Fusion;
- Magnetic Materials;
- Plasma Heating;
- Purity;
- Reactor Safety;
- Refueling;
- Stellarators;
- Tokamak Devices;
- Plasma Physics