Modularized mirror fusion reactor concept with emphasis on fabricability, assembly, and disassembly

A progress report on a continuing study directed toward the development of mirror reactor designs which simultaneously satisfy the various engineering, economic, and maintenance consideration is presented. Two new blanket and coil structure designs are presented which satisfy engineering requirements equally as well as previous designs while offering substantial gains in accessibility for maintenance. Because of the commercial requirement for a high duty cycle and the possible high frequency of blanket module removal--for either maintenance replacement--the module removal must be accomplished quickly with a minimum disruption of reactor operations. The blanket and coil structure designs allow the removal of any one of the identical blanket modules without disturbing either the remaining modules or the coil and its associated support structure. With fabricated coil structure costs estimated at $2.50/lbm and the reactor net electrical power calculated from a plasma and reactor system model detailed in the paper, coil and support structure costs of between 100 to 200 $/kwe were estimated. (U.S.)