Based on recent progress in world tokamak research, the prospects of continuous operation of a tokamak fusion power reactor are discussed. Efficient steady state operation (Q>30) becomes feasible when a large fraction of the plasma current (>70%) is driven by the bootstrap current. Moderate current (Ip approximately 10-20 MA) and an enhanced confinement mode of operation are the key for efficient steady state operation. High magnetic fields (Bt=8-11T) and high Troyon factors ( beta N>3.5) are required to attain high beta p operation and a reasonably high fusion power density. Control of the current and edge pressure profiles is necessary for high beta N operation with a high bootstrap fraction. It is proposed that the Next Step Tokamak should be optimized for continuous operation as well as high current pulsed operation.
基于世界托卡马克研究的最新进展，讨论了托卡马克聚变堆连续运行的展望。当等离子体电流的很大一部分（>70%）由自举电流驱动时，高效稳态运行（Q>30）成为可能。中等电流（Ip约10-20 MA）和增强约束模式是实现高效稳态运行的关键。高磁场（Bt=8-11 T）和高 Troyon 因子（β_N>3.5）对于实现高 β_p 和合理的聚变功率密度是必需的。控制电流和边界剖面对于在高 β_N 下实现高自举电流份额是必要的。建议下一代托卡马克装置应针对连续运行以及高电流脉冲运行进行优化。