Fusion Science and Technology / Volume 21 / Number 4 / July 1992 / Pages 2307-2323
Technical Paper / Special Issue on D-He Fusion / D-3He/Fusion Reactor / dx.doi.org/10.13182/FST92-A29724
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A comprehensive design study of the D-3He-fueled field-reversed configuration (FRC) reactor Artemis is carried out for the purpose of proving its attractive characteristics and clarifying the critical issues for a commercial fusion reactor. The FRC burning plasma is stabilized and sustained in a steady equilibrium by means of preferential trapping of D-3He fusion-produced energetic protons. A novel direct energy converter for 15-MeV protons is also presented. On the bases of consistent fusion plasma production and simple engineering, a compact and simple reactor concept is presented. The D-3He FRC power plant offers a most attractive prospect for energy development. It is environmentally acceptable in terms of radioactivity and fuel resources, and the estimated cost of electricity is low compared with a light water reactor. Critical physics and engineering issues in the development of the D-3He FRC reactor are clarified.