During deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion reactions, the reactor core predominantly generates high-energy fusion neutrons. These neutrons diffuse outward, exposing in-vessel components of the Tokamak vacuum chamber—such as the first wall, blanket, and divertor—to an intense neutron field characterized by high flux and energy deposition. Interactions between neutrons and structural materials within...
Controlled fusion reactors with steady-state operation (SSO) will require a fundamentally new approach to the organization of the fuel cycle and the use of other innovative solutions for technological systems, since all existing and planned facilities were designed for a pulse-periodic mode in which the gas mixture is processed between discharges. Switching to long-term pulses will require...
In future tokamak reactors higher magnetic field will be required to confine the plasma for a longer time to achieve higher confinement density. It is anticipated that higher magnetic field for future tokamak will be provided by high temperature superconducting coils, with good stability and low cryogenic requirements. Second-generation REBCO (2G HTS) high temperature superconductors (@77 K),...
The transport and retention of hydrogen isotopes is of vital importance for the realization of future commercial fusion reactors, because it is closely related to plasma operation, fuel recycling and radiation safety. However, the hydrogen isotope behavior in fusion reactor materials is not well understood. Reduced activation ferritic-martensitic (RAFM) steel and tungsten (W) are promising...
The Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST) is under construction in Hefei, China. Designed as a compact high-field tokamak, BEST aims to explore burning plasma physics, achieve advanced steady-state plasma performance (Q>1) , and develop high-Q fusion operations and realization of real-time T production, extraction and cycling. With long pulse duration and compact size,...
The cool-down of large-scale Cable-in-Conduit Conductor (CICC) superconducting magnets presents significant complexity, requiring careful management to ensure operational safety. This study proposes a quasi-three-dimensional thermal-hydraulic analysis model, specifically designed for large-scale CICC superconducting magnets. The model is applied to the cool-down (300 K-80 K) for the Central...
