FPN10-37

Heliotron/Stellarator Power Plant Design

July 7, 2010

Scientists in Japan are working on the design of a fusion power plant based on data from their billion-dollar-class Large Helical Device (LHD). The plant is designated as the Force Free Helical Reactor (FFHR). The studies are aimed at clarifying the critical issues of core plasma physics and power plant engineering. The design aims at about 3 Gigawatt fusion output with a "low average neutron wall load" of about 1.5 Megawatts per meter square, which "enables a long-life blanket concept." The authors say that "several physics and engineering issues remain to be solved. One of the most critical is the development of the technology for winding a large-scale continuous helical coil." They also say "the detailed design of a three-dimensional divertor is also important" and that "effective fueling and heating of the core plasma to realize steady-state sustainment of a desirable pressure profile is another big issue."

For further information, see the article in the June 2010 issue of Stellarator News: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/fed/stelnews or contact Akio Sagara at sagara.akio@LHD.nifs.ac.jp