A 600 MW(e) reversed field pinch reactor study

The Reversed Field Pinch is an axisymmetric toroidal magnetic system in which the stable confinement of high β plasma has already been demonstrated experimentally. This study has reviewed the plasma physics relevant to a reactor based on the Reversed Field Pinch, defined a possible set of reactor parameters and undertaken a preliminary consideration of the mechanical and electrical engineering problems of this system. The design assumes pulsed operation without refuelling during the burn, ignition by ohmic heating alone, and the use of normal (i.e. not superconducting) magnetic field windings. For the chosen net output of 600 MW(e) and mean neutron wall loading of 1.5MW/m2 the plasma minor and major radii are 1.75m and 16m respectively. The energy multiplication factor Q of the system is 5.9. (author)