The Nuclear Aspects of a Fusion Power Plant: New Constraints and Challenges

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    Fusion would deliver a new source of energy from the mid of this century. But the fusion research has now to make an important step forward by switching from pure plasma physics, based on Hydrogen and Deuterium plasma, to burning plasmas, implying the use of radioactive fuel (the Tritium) and the production of intense neutron flux. These aspects bring with them the change of fusion devices from laboratory (or industrial) facilities to nuclear facilities, with all the necessary precautions which are involved. The nuclear aspects of fusion reactors and power plants have an impact on various domains of the facilities: the approach of safety, security and radioprotection, the resistance of materials to neutron bombardments, the activation of material and the needs of remote handling, the effects of radiations on instruments and functional components, and last but not least the impact on radioactive waste production and recycling. All these aspects will be handled shortly in this first approach of the “nuclearization” of fusion reactors and facilities..
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 11th Carolus Magnus Summer School on Plasma and Fusion Energy Physics
    Place of PublicationJülich, Germany
    Pages391-402
    StatePublished - Sep 2013
    Event11th Carolus Magnus Summer School on Plasma and Fusion Energy Physics - TEC - Trilateral Euregio Cluster, Bad Honnef,Physikzentrum
    Duration: 26 Aug 20136 Sep 2013

    Conference

    Conference11th Carolus Magnus Summer School on Plasma and Fusion Energy Physics
    Country/TerritoryGermany
    CityBad Honnef,Physikzentrum
    Period2013-08-262013-09-06

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