Fusion Compact Torus

This paper summarizes several studies of fusion reactors based on the compact torus (CT). A wide variety of reactor configurations can be projected within present understanding of the possible types of CT and their macroscopic stability and confinement properties. Three types of CT are considered here, the field-reversed-configuration having B oroidal 0, the Spheromak with 0, and CT s formed with particle rings. 

The purpose of this paper is to review some fusion reactor possibilities based on the compact torus (CT) confinement... 

Finally, because the basic fusion unit is a compact torus, it can be small, with possibly = 10-100 MWe. 

Interest in the compact torus (CT) for fusion rests on forming an axisymmetric, closed, toroidal-confinement-region for plasma within a nearly uniform external field as shown in Fig. 1. The advantages of toroidal confinement are thereby obtained while retaining reactor-related simplifications in blanket and coil design and natural plasma diversion because of the open-ended external field. To achieve these dual advantages, the toroidal confinement fields must be formed by plasma currents, rather than... 

Summary of U.S. Compact Torus Experiments and Fusion Reactor Aspects of the Compact Torus by C.W. HARTMAN, in present proceedings. 

Later in this chapter, the role of the aspect ratio (the ratio of the major radius of a torus to its minor one) in the technology of fusion devices will be emphasized. It is to mention, that those configurations that have an aspect ratio close to unity (compact devices) have a larger beta limit and so a more favorable possible fusion performance. 

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