Skip to main content

Controlled Nuclear Fusion Current Research and Potential Progress (1978) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH PURE D-T FUSION
Pages 24-28

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 24...
... The attainment of such a leakage rate seems technologically feasible; however, a major objective of fusion reactor technology will have to be the demonstration of adequate tritium containment at acceptable costs. REACTOR SAFETY AND WASTE DISPOSAL The magnitude and characteristics of the radioactive inventories induced by neutron interactions in the structural material of the blanket are major considerations in assessing D-T fusion reactor safety and radioactive waste disposal.
Read the entire page →
From page 25...
... alloys based on niobium, molybdenum and vanadium, as well as conventional iron- and nickel-base alloys. Calculations suggest that, for most engineering alloys, longterm solutions to waste disposal similar to those sought for radioactive wastes from fission reactors may be required.
Read the entire page →
From page 26...
... Thus, even when direct energy conversion is assumed for a portion of the fusion energy release, the overall plant efficiency (that is, the ratio of the net electrical power output to nuclear power release) of current D-T fusion reactor concepts is comparable to the overall plant efficiencies of fossil and fission power plants (i.e., in the vicinity of 30 to 40 percent)
Read the entire page →
From page 27...
... First, it produces substantial amounts of neutrons that result in induced radioactivity within the reactor structure, and it requires the handling of the radioisotope tritium. Second, only about 20 percent of the fusion energy yield appears in the form of charged particles, limiting the extent to which direct energy conversion techniques might be applied.
Read the entire page →
From page 28...
... Thus, even if adequate confinement and heating could be achieved for implementing alternative fuels, such systems would face an economic disadvantage relative to the D-T system on the basis of power density. Nonetheless, we would like to hold out the hope that at some future date technology may advance to the point where the use of such ideal fusion fuels will become practical.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • fusion reactor
  • fusion reactors
  • resource requirements
  • power density
  • fission reactors

  • fission power
  • afterheat power
  • reactor design
  • reactor safety
  • energy conversion

  • direct energy
  • fusion energy
  • fission reactor
  • breeder reactor
  • reactor blankets

  • lithium resources
  • liquid metal
  • leakage rate
  • charged particles
  • metal fast

  • structural material
  • nuclear island
  • overall plant
  • implementating fusion
  • attainable fusion

  • alternative fusion
  • tokamak fusion
  • fusion appears
  • fusion fuels
  • prevent fusion


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.