Tokamak Start-Up: Problems and Scenarios Related to the Transient Phases of a Thermonuclear Fusion Reactor (Ettor Majorana International Science Series)

Book excerpt: This book contains the papers presented at the Course on "Tokamak Startup - Problems and Scenarios Related to the Transient Phases of a Thermonuclear Fusion Reactor" which was held in Erice, July 14-20, 1985. The fact that the critical startup and transient phases of a tokamak reactor are now the specific subject of a comprehensive international gathering of fusion specialists seems indicative of the substantial pro gress made in recent years towards attaining controlled ignition of a nuclear fusion fuel, i.e. towards demonstrating the scientific feasibili ty of controlled thermonuclear fusion. In fact, the steady-state burning phase has attracted so far most of the attention of fusion physicists and engineers, as it is conceptually more rewarding, and theoretically easier to handle. However, as for many large engineering systems, - nuclear fis- ... ':1' " . 10 ' ... Entrance to San Rocco's lecturing hall v sion power plants, or aerospace crafts, for example - the major issues of design and operation lie often in the startup, shutdown and power tran sieQt phases, rather than at the full load, or at cruising regimes. In ehoosing the contributions to this 7th Course of Prof. B.