Some Engineering Design Considerations for a Thermonuclear Power Plant

The evaluation of the engineering problems of fusion reactors has just begun. Worldwide, it is estimated to be the part-time effort of fewer than fifty scientists and engineers. A few thoughts have been outlined here. The essence of the problem is still one of plasma physics; the demonstration of stable confinement of a thermonuclear plasma. Engineering models are, therefore, best guesses at present confinement schemes extrapolated to reactor conditions. Many of the technical problems are however, model-free and universally applicable. There must be some advanced state of preparation for construction of a reactor once scientific feasibility is proven. The success of this program means the satisfaction of global energy needs for the foreseeable future.