Search for the Ultimate Energy Source: A History of the U.S. Fusion Energy Program

ISBN-13: 9781489995728 / Angielski / Miękka / 2015 / 264 str.

Stephen O. Dean

Opis

Why has the clean, limitless energy promised by fusion always seemed just out of reach? Search for the Ultimate Energy Source: A History of the U.S. Fusion Energy Program, explains the fundamentals and concepts behind fusion power, and tracesthe development of fusion historically by decade covering its history as dictated by US government policies, its major successes, and its prognosis for the future. The reader will gain an understanding of how the development of fusion has been shaped by changing government priorities as well as other hurdles currently facing realization of fusion power.Advance Praise for Search for the Ultimate Energy Source Dr. Dean has been uniquely involved in world fusion research for decades and, in this book, describes the complicated realities like few others possibly could. -Robert L. Hirsch, a former director of the US fusion program, an Assistant Administrator of the US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA); an executive at Exxon, Arco, and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI); and lead author of the book The Impending World Energy Mess (Apogee Prime Books, 2009). In this book, Dr. Dean provides the many reasons why fusion has progressed more slowly than many had hoped. Budget is usually cited as the culprit, but policy is equally to blame. Facilities have been closed down before their jobs were done or in some cases, even started. It seems this situation has become endemic in fusion, and if one thinks about it, in other nationally important Science and Technology initiatives as well. -William R. Ellis, a former scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Associate Director of Research at the US Naval Research Laboratory, a vice president at Ebasco Services and at Raytheon, and chair of the US ITER Industry Council and the US ITER Industrial Consortium."

Recenzje

"Author Stephen Dean gives us firsthand details of how the management of the US fusion program has evolved since the 1960s. ... provide a clear, succinct, and broadly accessible description of the fundamentals of fusion and current approaches for producing fusion energy. ... Dean admirably captures the people and the spirit of the times and gives them historical context by citing notable accomplishments throughout the book." (David H. Crandall, Physics Today, Vol. 67 (3), March, 2014)

"Search for the Ultimate Energy Source begins with a primer on fusion for the layman, and describes the rich history of various alternative approaches to reaching the goal of fusion energy. ... This is a book that should be in every library, and read by citizens and policymakers, alike." (Marsha Freeman, 21st Century Science & Technology, Spring, 2013)

"In this new book, Dean begins with an introduction to the science and technology of nuclear fusion, including a case for pursuing this energy option. ... This book is ideal for historians and students of science and technology for its complete and in-depth coverage of nuclear fusion technology and policy. Dean has made a valuable contribution to the discussion of not merely the difficulties facing nuclear fusion, but the challenges of sustaining long-term energy policy in general." (Robert Margolis, ANS Nuclear Cafe, March, 2013)

Spis treści

Prologue.- Chapter 1 - Fusion Fundamentals.- Energy.- Some Simple Nuclear Physics.- Historical Origins of Fusion Research.- Why Pursue Fusion?.- Fusion Reactions.- The Lawson Criterion.- Heating.- Ohmic.- Compression.- Neutral Beams.- Radiofrequency.- Other Key Technologies.- Superconducting Magnets.- Materials.- Chapter 2 - Fusion Concepts.- Magnetic Bottles.- Pinch.- Mirror.- Stellarator.- Tokamak.- Inertial Confinement -- Microexplosions.- Laser Drivers.- Heavy Ion Driver.- Z-Pinch Driver.- Other Concepts.- Field Reversed Configuration.- Magneto-Inertial.- Inertial Electrostatic.- Chapter 3 - The Struggling Years - 1960s.- Magnetic Confinement Fusion.- The Tokamak.- Inertial Confinement Fusion.- Chapter 4 - The Glory Years – 1970s.- Tokamaks.- Planning.- Management.- Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR).- High Density Systems – Pinches.- Bumpy Torus.- Open Systems – Magnetic Mirrors.- The 1976 Magnetic Fusion Program Plan.- US Department of Energy (DOE).- Power Plant Designs.- Surpassing the Lawson Ideal Ignition Temperature in a Tokamak.- Fusion Power Associates.- Chapter 5 - The Carter Plan vs. The Reagan Agenda – 1980-1985.- The Magnetic Fusion Energy Engineering Act of 1980.- The Pewitt Problem.- Kintner Resigns.- Mirrors and Bumpy Torus.- Inertial Confinement.- Management.- ERAB Review.- MFAC Strategy.- Ansel Adams.- William R. (Bill) Ellis.- Major Progress Event – Lawson n Achieved at MIT.- Tokamak Scaling.- More on Inertial Confinement.- Industrial Participation.- Retrenchment.- Trivelpiece Interview.- Budgets and Realities.- Chapter 6 - Successes and Disasters – 1985-1990.- Regrouping.- Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meeting.- The Declaration of Energy Independence.- Major Achievement – TFTR.- Inertial Confinement Fusion Review.- Major Achievement – Nova.- Halite-Centurion.- The Compact Ignition Tokamak (CIT).- The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).- Musical Chairs.- ARIES.- Congressional Testimony.- Major Achievement – Inertial Fusion.- The Arrival of Robert Hunter.- The CIT Fiasco.- Major Successes – DIII-D, JET.- More on Inertial Confinement Fusion.- Fusion Policy at the Department of Energy.- Chapter 7 - Hope for Resurgence – 1990-1995.- Input to Energy Secretary James D. Watkins.- Fusion Policy Advisory Committee (FPAC) Review Begins.- Bush-Gorbachev Summit Meeting.- PBS Film: Fire from the Sun.- FPAC Reports.- Budget Cut.- An Accelerated Fusion Power Development Plan.- 1991 National Energy Strategy.- New Fusion Energy Advisory Committee (FEAC).- Major Advance – DIII-D.- Happer at the Helm.- Major Achievement – JET.- ITER Moves Forward.- Another Fusion Law.- The 1992 and 1994 EPRI Fusion Reviews.- Inertial Fusion and Beginnings of the NIF.- Major Accomplishment – TFTR.- Signs of Trouble.- Chapter 8 - Financial Tsunami – 1995-1999.- Contract with America.- The National Ignition Facility (NIF).- The 1995 PCAST Fusion Review.- Congress Takes Aim.- Industry Groups Respond.- Fusion Energy Mission Abandoned.- TPX Reborn as KSTAR.- Major Advances – Tore Supra, Z, JET.- 1997 PCAST Energy Report.- Pathways to Fusion Power Symposium.- Farewell to TFTR.- Fusion Community Attempts to Regroup.- Congress Orders US Out of ITER Collaboration.- FPA Meeting: Cost-effective Steps to Fusion Power.- 1998-1999 SEAB Fusion Review.- 1999 Fusion Snowmass Meeting.- FESAC Comments on Fusion Program Priorities and Balance.- OMB View.- No Fusion Demonstration Power Plant by 2000.- Chapter 9 - The New Millennium: Science vs. Energy – 2000-2008.- National Energy Policy Development Group.- National Academies Report on the Quality of Fusion Science.- Burning Plasma Physics.- Major Advance – DIII-D.- ITER Rising?.- Fifty Years of US Fusion Research.- The High Average Power Laser (HAPL) Program.- The 2002 Fusion Summer Study.- Another Academies Fusion Review Panel.- US Rejoins ITER.- The 35-year Plan.- Report of the Burning Plasma Assessment Committee (BPAC).- Major Advances – Z, Omega, LHD.- ITER vs. the US Domestic Fusion Program.- Energy Policy Act of 2005.- Major Advances – NIF, HIF, Omega, EAST.- More Proposed US Domestic Fusion Budget Cuts.- Davies, Roberts, Willis Retire.- 2007 Inertial Fusion Energy Workshop.- Fifty Years of International Fusion Collaboration .- Chapter 10 - The Obama Administration – 2009-2012.- New Appointments.- Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE).- NIF Begins Operation and Looks Beyond Ignition.- Funding Improvement and Management Changes.- ITER Changes.- Magnetic Fusion Concepts Narrowing.- Magneto-Inertial Fusion Approach Gets a Boost.- Renewed Interest in Path to a Demonstration Power Plant.- Inertial Fusion Energy Review.- The FY 2013 US Fusion Program Dilemma.- ANS Fusion Energy Division Comments on FY 2013 Budget Proposal.- FESAC Launches Another Priorities Study.- Congressional Actions.- ITER Council Meets in Washington.- Uncertainties.- Chapter 11 - Applications.- Electric Power.- Hydrogen Production.- Fusion-Fission Hybrid Reactors.- Fuel for Nuclear Fission Reactors.- Conversion of Nuclear Waste.- Processing of Other Wastes.- Desalination.- Spinoffs.- Chapter 12 - Engineering Challenges.- Materials.- Tritium .- Complexity.- Maintenance.- Cost.- Chapter 13 - Energy.- Primary Energy Consumption.- Oil.- Electricity.- Coal.- Natural Gas.- Hydro.- Nuclear.- Renewables.- Climate Change.- Supply and Demand.- Efficiency and Advanced Technologies.- Chapter 14 - Perspectives 2012.- Charles C. Baker.- N. Anne Davies.- William R. Ellis.- Richard D. Hazeltine.- Robert L. Hirsch.- B. Grant Logan.- Robert L. McCrory.- Dale M. Meade.- John H. Nuckolls.- Richard F. Post.- Fred L. Ribe.- John Sheffield.- Ken Tomabechi.- Alvin W. Trivelpiece.- Chapter 15 - The Ultimate Energy Source?.- Politics.- Progress .- Promise.- Epilogue.- Acknowledgements.- Recommended Reading and Information Resources.- References.- Persons Index.- Subject Index.

O autorze

Stephen O. Dean is the President of Fusion Power Associated at UCSD's Center for Energy Research.  He is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Fusion Energy.