Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Chapter 101 — Magnetic Fusion Energy Engineering
§ 9302. Definitions
Statutory text
For the purposes of this chapter—
“fusion” means a process whereby two light nuclei, such as deuterium and tritium, collide at high velocity, forming a compound nucleus, which subsequently separates into constituents which are different from the original colliding nuclei, and which carry away the accompanying energy release;
“magnetic fusion” means the use of magnetic fields to confine a very hot, fully ionized gas of light nuclei, so that the fusion process can occur;
“energy system” means a facility designed to utilize energy released in the magnetic fusion process for the generation of electricity and the production of hydrogen or other fuels;
“fusion engineering device” means a magnetic fusion facility which achieves at least a burning plasma and serves to test components for engineering purposes;
“demonstration plant” means a prototype energy system which is of sufficient size to provide safety, environmental reliability, availability, and ready engineering extrapolation of all components to commercial size but which system need not be economically competitive with then alternative energy sources; and
“Secretary” means Secretary of Energy.
Legislative history
Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.
Magnetic Fusion Energy Engineering Act of 1980
Pub. L. 96–386 § 3 · 94 Stat. 1539
Enacted · 42 U.S.C. § 9302
(Pub. L. 96–386, § 3, Oct. 7, 1980, 94 Stat. 1540.)
Source evidence
Code source credit
(Pub. L. 96–386, § 3, Oct. 7, 1980, 94 Stat. 1540.)Enacted provision · exact public law section
Sec. 3. definitions For the purposes of this Act— (1) “fusion” means a process whereby two light nuclei, such as deuterium and tritium, collide at high velocity, forming a compound nucleus, which subsequently separates into constituents which are different from the original colliding nuclei, and which carry away the accompanying energy release; (2) “magnetic fusion” means the use of magnetic fields to confine a very hot, fully ionized gas of light nuclei, so that the fusion process can occur; (3) “energy system” means a facility designed to utilize energy released in the magnetic fusion process for the generation of electricity and the production of hydrogen or other fuels; (4) “fusion engineering device” means a magnetic fusion facility which achieves at least a burning plasma and serves to test components for engineering purposes; (5) “demonstration plant” means a prototype energy system which is of sufficient size to provide safety, environmental reliability, availability, and ready engineering extrapolation of all components to commercial size but which system need not be economically competitive with then alternative energy sources; and (6) “Secretary” means Secretary of Energy.
1 of 1 references resolved to an enrolled provision