Abstract

A comprehensive systems code that includes a range of physics and engineering considerations along with a simplified costing model has been utilized to evaluate the primary cost drivers for a compact tokamak pilot plant. The systems code has been benchmarked against several tokamak reactor designs and is utilized with sophisticated optimization algorithms to develop optimal solutions for a set of user-specified assumptions and design constraints. In contrast to previous models that have focused on the cost of electricity as the key cost metric, this study uses the estimated capital cost of the facility. The analysis suggests that a pilot plant with the following features may offer potential for a cost-attractive pilot plant: A ~ 3, H_98y2 > 1.5, P_net = 200 MW, ${\tau }_{pulse}$ ~ 1 to 2 h utilizing rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) magnet technology and a plug-bucked central solenoid/toroidal field (CS/TF) magnet support structure. While REBCO magnets offer some advantages relative to Nb₃Sn magnets in all cases, the most gain is obtained when combined with the plug-bucked CS/TF bucking solution. Pulsed operation reduces capital cost requirements relative to steady-state operation, especially at low confinement. Cost sensitivity studies indicate that there are significant cost uncertainties associated with the achievable confinement quality, tritium breeding capability, attainable thermal efficiency, and achievable neutron wall loading, suggesting that these areas are the most critical areas in reducing the cost risk for a compact tokamak pilot plant. Further cost sensitivity studies indicate that the estimated cost is most sensitive to the underlying cost of the magnetic coils, providing further impetus to better establish cost-effective means for producing fusion magnets.

摘要

包含了一系列物理和工程考虑因素以及简化的成本核算模型的综合系统代码已用于评估紧凑型托卡马克中试工厂的主要成本动因。该系统代码已针对多种托卡马克反应堆设计进行了基准测试，并与复杂的优化算法一起用于针对一组用户指定的假设和设计约束条件开发最佳解决方案。与以前的以电费作为关键成本指标的模型相反，本研究使用设施的估计资本成本。分析表明，具有以下特征的中试工厂可能为具有成本吸引力的中试工厂提供潜力：_A〜3，H _98y2  > 1.5，P _net  = 200 MW，${\tau }_{pü升sË}$ 利用稀土钡铜氧化物（REBCO）磁体技术和插拔式中央螺线管/环形磁场（CS / TF）磁体支撑结构，在约1到2 h内完成工作。尽管REBCO磁体相对于Nb ₃具有一些优势在所有情况下，Sn磁体与插拔式CS / TF降压解决方案结合在一起都能获得最大的增益。相对于稳态运行，脉冲运行降低了资本成本要求，尤其是在狭窄的情况下。成本敏感性研究表明，与可实现的限制质量，tri繁殖能力，可实现的热效率和可实现的中子壁载荷相关的成本存在重大不确定性，这表明这些区域是降低紧凑型托卡马克飞行员成本风险的最关键领域植物。进一步的成本敏感性研究表明，估算的成本对电磁线圈的基础成本最为敏感，这为进一步建立成本效益好的生产聚变磁体的手段提供了进一步的动力。