Open AccessA Compact Quasi-axisymmetric Stellarator Reactor
Author(s) -
L. P. Ku
Publication year - 2003
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/820108
Subject(s) - stellarator , electromagnetic coil , blanket , nuclear engineering , aspect ratio (aeronautics) , electromagnetic shielding , rotational symmetry , radius , physics , modular design , fusion power , mechanics , nuclear physics , computational physics , materials science , plasma , engineering , computer science , optoelectronics , computer security , quantum mechanics , composite material , operating system
We report the progress made in assessing the potential of compact, quasi-axisymmetric stellarators as power-producing reactors. Using an aspect ratio A=4.5 configuration derived from NCSX and optimized with respect to the quasi-axisymmetry and MHD stability in the linear regime as an example, we show that a reactor of 1 GW(e) maybe realizable with a major radius *8 m. This is significantly smaller than the designs of stellarator reactors attempted before. We further show the design of modular coils and discuss the optimization of coil aspect ratios in order to accommodate the blanket for tritium breeding and radiation shielding for coil protection. In addition, we discuss the effects of coil aspect ratio on the peak magnetic field in the coils