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Comparison
Steady-State vs Pulsed Operation
A power plant should run continuously, not in pulses. Kronos targets steady-state operation via a high bootstrap fraction — avoiding the fatigue and downtime of pulsed machines.
- Pulsed
- Solenoid-driven; finite pulses; thermal cycling
- Steady-state
- Bootstrap + current drive; continuous
- Kronos
- Steady-state (f_NI = 0.61–0.81)
- Benefit
- No pulse-cycle fatigue; higher availability
A tokamak can run in pulses — driving current from the central solenoid until its flux runs out — or in steady state, sustaining the current continuously. For a power plant meant to deliver firm power, steady state is far preferable.
| Dimension | Steady-state / Pulsed |
|---|---|
| Current source | Bootstrap + non-inductive drive / central solenoid |
| Duty | Continuous / repeated pulses |
| Material stress | Steady / thermal and mechanical cycling fatigue |
Pulsed operation subjects components to repeated thermal and mechanical cycling (fatigue) and interrupts power delivery. Kronos targets steady-state operation, leaning on a high bootstrap fraction (0.59–0.78) plus non-inductive current drive — which is both easier on the hardware and better suited to a firm generator.