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Nuclear fusion First integrated fuel circuit for stellarators

From Thomas Kuther | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

With almost limitless energy production, nuclear fusion could solve many supply problems. However, the technical implementation is complex and key technological components are still missing for the practical operation of future power plants. To change this, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is now working with partners from science and industry to develop the first integrated fuel cycle for stellarators.

Research work on the safe handling of tritium in future fusion power plants at KIT.(Image: KIT)
Research work on the safe handling of tritium in future fusion power plants at KIT.
(Image: KIT)

Power plants with fusion reactors are seen as a beacon of hope for a clean energy future. "In recent years, spectacular progress has been made in the generation and handling of fusion plasma," explains Dr. Thomas Giegerich from the Institute of Technical Physics (ITEP) at KIT. "However, many questions of practical operation remain unresolved." This applies, for example, to the fuel cycle in stellarators, a type of reactor in which the plasma is confined in a twisted magnetic field in such a way that continuous operation is possible. "So far, there is no concept for handling the fuel in a future fusion power plant," emphasizes Giegerich. "There is also no facility that could be used to validate such a fuel cycle." Both are now to be realized in a consortium directly with industry in the SyrVBreTT (Synergy Verbund Fuel Cycle and Tritium Technologies) project coordinated by KIT.

Integrated development of the fuel cycle

Fusion power plants require a mixture of the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium as fuel, which is converted into helium in the reactor. To ensure that the helium content in the fusion plasma does not increase too much, the reaction mixture in the stellarator must be continuously pumped out, purified and then injected together with new fuel. The entirety of the systems required for this is referred to as the internal fuel cycle. Because the tritium required for the fusion reaction does not occur directly in nature due to its short half-life of a few years, it must be technically produced in so-called breeding blankets. All the systems required for this are referred to as an external fuel cycle. "In our project, we are developing the technical components required for both cycles, such as pumps, storage beds and pellet injection systems," says Giegerich.

In order to avoid interface problems with the individual components, the internal and external fuel cycles are being developed together and in coordination with each other. In addition, targeted simulations and experimental studies will ensure that the technologies can be validated under realistic conditions. "We are creating a Fuel Cycle Test Facility at KIT for this purpose, in which all relevant systems can be tested under real conditions," says Giegerich. This is a crucial step in enabling the transition from experiment to practical application. (tk)

Link: More at the KIT Energy Center

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