Magnetic fusion : Safety

As in any industrial installation, a fusion reactor should demonstrate a capability to operate safely. The intrinsic advantages of fusion in terms of safety (impossibility of runaway reaction, low energy inventory, no long-life radioactive waste) contribute to this demonstration, which is the subject of Safety studies carried out over many years in Europe.

Activities of the EURATOM-CEA Association

Safety activities are a line of study in which the EURATOM-CEA Association plays an important role, both as regards to the ITER project and in generic studies :

Contribution to development of the Fusion Safety approach and associated methodology with direct applications to ITER.

Development and qualification of safety analysis codes.

Analysis of accidental sequences and development of mitigation systems (see example opposite).

Decommissioning and waste management.

Development of detritiation processes.

Mitigation of a LOFA (Loss Of Flow Accident) type accident using a plasma emergency stop system (Fast Burn Termination ) by stopping the supply of fuel and appropriate heating management.

For further information :

The advantages of fusion in terms of safety

Fusion Technology. Annual Report of the Association EURATOM/CEA
Safety Activities

1998 issue: 38p, 447ko, PDF
1999 issue: 28p, 1409 ko , PDF
2000 issue: 34p, 1596 ko, PDF
2001 issue: 41p, 2261 ko, PDF
2002 issue: 32p, 3790 ko, PDF
2003 issue: 30p, 2692 ko, PDF
2004 issue (PDF)
   - pages 000-014 : Cover, contents, introduction (518 Ko)
   - pages 171-192 : EFDA activities: safety (973 ko)
   - pages 227-238 : EFDA activities: JET/safety (501 ko)
2005 issue (PDF)
   - pages 000-004 : Cover, contents, introduction (824 Ko)
   - pages 263-284 : EFDA activities: safety (858 ko)
   - pages 317-322 : EFDA activities: JET/safety (2 355 ko)
   - pages 281-394 : Underlying technologies: safety (432 ko)
2006 issue (PDF)
   - pages 000-004 : Cover, contents, introduction (1.4 Mo)
   - pages 258-270 : EFDA activities: safety (0.7 Mo)
   - pages 286-326 : EFDA activities: JET technologies activities (PFC, safety, rh,...) (6.5 Mo)
   - pages 362-366: Underlying technologies: safety (1.9 Mo)