
341Energy from Nuclear Fusion
Penetrations through the blanket must be provided for injecting fuel and
energy with either magnetic fusion energy (MFE) or inertial fusion energy
(IFE). These penetrations may be from one side as shown, but more generally
are from opposite sides or even uniformly distributed around the periphery.
Outside the blanket are superconducting magnets for magnetic fusion, and
beam lines for inertial fusion. The power plant in Figure 9.1a could be spheri-
cal, cylindrical, or wrapped into a toroid, as shown in Figure 9.1b.
Historically, two approaches to harnessing fusion power for energy produc-
tion have been followed. The ...