Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 19, 1405027 (2024)

Regular Articles

System Dynamics Based Study on Fuel Cycle and Electric Power Balance during Deuterium-Deuterium Start-Up of a Tokamak Fusion Reactor
Yusuke YAMAZAKI, Kento MIYAMAE1) and Hiroshi YAMADA1)
Faculty of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
1)
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
(Received 27 May 2024 / Accepted 29 July 2024 / Published 10 September 2024)

Abstract

Start-up of a tokamak DEMO reactor using only deuterium (D) fuel without the initial loading of tritium (T) has been assessed from the aspect of fuel cycle and electric power balance. The temporal evolution of plasma parameters and electric power demands for current drive and BOP have been analyzed by means of system dynamics. One of the critical issues for a fusion DEMO reactor is securing the initial loading of T. While this “DD start-up” scenario would be a solution of this critical issue, this operation requires external energy input to maintain the burning plasma condition for several months until sufficient DT burning is established. The plasma temperature increases with the increase of α heating by the growth of T fraction. Consequently, the current drive power, hence, its electric power demand is reduced while the electric power generation increases. The positive net electric power output is anticipated well before the full DT operation is built up. Operational options to improve the performance and sensitivity of the performance to assumed parameters have been also discussed.

Keywords

fusion DEMO reactor, DD start-up, plasma current drive, fuel cycle, electric power balance

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.19.1405027

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