Applications of the Integrated-Blanket-Coil Concept to the Compact Reversed-Field Pinch Reactor

A design of a compact fusion reactor is proposed based on the reversed field pinch and utilizing the "Integrated-Blanket-CoiI" (IBC) concept. The IBC is applied to the toroidal field and divertor systems, with liquid metal used for cooling both the first wall and blanket. This simplifies the overall design by requiring only a single coolant cycle. In addition, safety is increased by eliminating any possible lithium-water interaction in the fusion power core. Finally, replacing conventional copper divertor coils with IBC components enhances tritium breeding and energy recovery. A generic problem with liquid metal coolants is their reduced heat transfer capabilities in magnetic fields. In this context, the use of liquid metal coolants may limit the allowable neutron wall loading to a value of 10 MW/m2. Above this value it may be necessary to use water cooling for the first wall and divertor surfaces.