The magnetic field - a critical system in the light of safety evaluation of a tokamak type fusion device

In the considerations concerned with the long-term meet of electricity demand nuclear fusion devices of the tokamak type with magnetic confinement play an important role as well. In order to operate those progressive energy conversion plants in a safe and reliable manner, appropriate safety studies are to be set about as soon as possible, thereby taking into account absolutely novel aspects because of the strong magnetic fields involved. In this paper, at the beginning the magnetic system of tokamak plants is briefly characterized and the forces acting in both undisturbed and disturbed operation described. Then, a description of the effects on the magnetic system after incidence of the events loss of superconductivity and appearance of light arcs as well as of the safety performance provided for their control is given. (author)