17 What would a D-T fusion reactor look like?
Description
This article is from the Fusion FAQ, by Robert F. Heeter heeter1@llnl.gov with numerous contributions by others.
17 What would a D-T fusion reactor look like?
[[ The following paraphrases answers written by Arthur Carlson. ]]
A D-T fueled fusion reactor would have a fusion vacuum chamber,
where the actual reactions take place; then there is the "first
wall," which maintains the integrity of the vacuum while transmitting
the neutrons from the D-T reaction. The first wall needs to
withstand bombardment from stray plasma particles, and also to
withstand the high stresses which can occur if the plasma
misbehaves, loses confinement, and disrupts into the wall.
Beyond the first wall there will be a neutron-absorbing,
tritium-generating blanket (which would most likely contain
lots of lithium to generate tritium). Within and outside the
blanket would be tritium collecting equipment and heat
extraction equipment. The systems used to generate fusion in
the vacuum chamber (laser or particle beam channels for inertial
or muon fusion, electromagnet coils for magnetic fusion) would
also lie in/outside the blanket. Finally, shielding would
be needed for radiation-sensitive components, and to prevent
stray radiation from leaving the reactor.
The first walls currently in use in experimental reactors are
mostly made from stainless steel. However, stainless steel
is not the best material, and advanced machines (such as TPX - see
sections 5 and 9) will be made from advanced materials, most
likely vanadium alloys. These advanced materials are designed
to withstand the unique conditions in a fusion reactor, including
high thermal & mechanical stress and intense neutron bombardment.
In addition, they're designed to not become too radioactive, and
to decay quickly so as not to create long-term radioactive waste.
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