HELIUM COOLING OF FUSION-REACTORS

On the basis of worldwide design experience and in coordination with t he evolution of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor ( ITER) program, the application of helium as a coolant for fusion appea rs to be at the verge of a transition from conceptual design to engine ering development. This paper presents a review of the use of helium a s the coolant for fusion reactor blanket and divertor designs. The con cept of a high-pressure helium cooling radial plate design was studied for both ITER and PULSAR. These designs can resolve many engineering issues, and can help with reaching the goals of low activation and hig h performance designs. The combination of helium cooling, advanced low -activation materials, and gas turbine technology may permit high ther -mal efficiency and reduced costs, resulting in the environmental adva ntages and competitive economics required to make fusion a 21st centur y power source.