Estimation of fuel operating ranges of fusion power plants

Abstract

The fuel operating ranges of fusion tokamak-based power plants are estimated using the improved engineering breakeven equation. The Lawson criterion equations are derived in the form of a triple product with a focus on engineering breakeven and the subbreakeven operating range. The relationship of fuel parameters to the power plant net efficiency is outlined. Analysis shows that the operating ranges of the suitable fuel parameters form a closed area, the size of which affects the net efficiency of the power plant.The obtained fuel operating ranges confirm the well-known fact that DT fuel is currently the only fusion fuel useable in tokamak-based fusion power plants. It is also shown that the energy utilization of pB fuel is possible in the subbreakeven operating range but is conditioned by the very high efficiency of the power plant equipment. For the utilization of DD, DHe3, and pB fuels, the required magnetic fields are indicatively estimated.

Keywords

• Nuclear fusion
• Fuel
• Operating range
• Lawson criterion
• Engineering breakeven