Safety Related Design Considerations for Magnetized Target Fusion Facilities

Abstract

For a commercial nuclear fusion power plant, it is crucial that the facility be designed to protect personnel, the public, and the surrounding environment. For conventional nuclear fission facilities, safety is ensured through design measures that control, cool, and contain potentially hazardous energy sources. In the case of a fusion facility the fundamental requirement is similar however the hazardous energy sources and in turn the hazards they present will differ significantly. This paper presents some of the major design basis hazards that will be relevant to a magnetic fusion facility, with specific consideration of the General Fusion magnetized target fusion technology. Some consideration of design measures that could be implemented to mitigate and manage hazards will also be provided. Consideration will be given to hazardous materials, electrical hazards, mechanical hazards, and ionizing and non-ionizing energy sources.