Overview of the Blanket Comparison and Selection Study

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Abstract
The Blanket Comparison and Selection Study (BCSS) was a 2-yr, multilaboratory project initiated by the U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Fusion Energy. Its primary objectives were to (a) define a limited number of blanket concepts that should provide the focus of the blanket research and development (R&D) program, and (b) identify and prioritize critical issues for the leading blanket concepts. The BCSS focused on the mainline approach for fusion reactor development, namely, the D-T-Li fuel cycle, tokamaks and tandem mirror reactors (TMRs) for electrical energy production, and a reactor parameter space that is generally considered achievable with modest extrapolations from the current data base. The STARFIRE and Mirror Advanced Reactor Study reactor and plant designs, with a nominal first-wall neutron load of 5 MW/m2, were used as reference designs for the study.The study focused on1. development of reference design guidelines, evaluation criteria, and a methodology for evaluating and ranking ca...