Researching Tokamaks: Cost, Hazards, Alternatives

[misogynisticfeminist]

I am doing possible research on tokamaks but part of it is the study of how feasible is having a tokamak in my community. I am currently looking for information on the cost of an average tokamak (perhaps to power 50 units of flats?) and its electricity output for this cost. Also, what are the hazards of a tokamak? Are there any possible alternative techniques for fusion?

thanks a lot.

 

[Reshma]

BTW, what are "Tokamaks"?

 

[misogynisticfeminist]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokamak

: )

 

[brewnog]

Misogynisticfeminist.

Fusion is not currently viable for energy production.

 

[theCandyman]

I actually laughed when I read that first post. Fusion, even if it were avaliable to the public would not be a practical energy supplier. The ratio of the energy gained to the energy put into achieving ignition is very small.

 

[Morbius]

I am doing possible research on tokamaks but part of it is the study of how feasible is having a tokamak in my community. I am currently looking for information on the cost of an average tokamak (perhaps to power 50 units of flats?) and its electricity output for this cost. Also, what are the hazards of a tokamak? Are there any possible alternative techniques for fusion?

misogynisticfeminist,

Two comments - first, at present Tokamaks don't produce net power.

The best the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory was able to get was to
have the machine operate for a second or two before the plasma went
unstable. They put more energy into creating the plasma, than they got
out in fusion power.

Secondly, fusion reactors are going to be BIG. As one of my professors
stated; the Tokamak is going to need a thick skin - many feet thick -
in order to capture the fusion neutrons which contain most of the energy
released. "Any 'animal' with a skin a few feet thick is going to be a
BIG animal".

In order to provide the large magnetic fields required for fusion - one
may have to use superconducting magnets in order to drive down the
cost of running the magnets. This professor referred to a tokamak
fusion power plant as a "Superconducting Cathedral".

So you aren't going to have a fusion power plant for 50 homes.

Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist

 

[Astronuc]

Commercial electrical power generation from fusion is still hypothetical. The cost of the complex technology most likely would require a 'large' plant, perhaps something on the order of 1000 MW or so.

The economics will also depend on the fuel cycle - e.g. D-D vs D-T or other, and whether or not T-breeding with n,Li reactions is part of the system.

Try this for a start - The Impact of Physics Assumptions on Fusion Economics
http://www.iaea.org/programmes/ripc/physics/fec2000/html/node348.htm

and try to find

Hender et al., "Key Issue for the Economic Viability of Magnetic Fusion Power," Fusion Technology, Vol. 30, December 1996