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Nuclear fusion First integrated fuel cycle for stellarators

From | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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

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

Power plants with fusion reactors are considered hopefuls for a clean energy future. "Spectacular progress has been made in recent years in the generation and handling of fusion plasmas," explains Dr. Thomas Giegerich from the Institute of Technical Physics (ITEP) at KIT. "However, many questions regarding practical operations remain unresolved." This applies, for example, to the fuel cycle in stellarators, a reactor type where the plasma is confined in a twisted magnetic field, enabling continuous operation. "So far, there is no concept for handling the fuel in a future fusion power plant," emphasizes Giegerich. "There is also no facility to validate such a fuel cycle." Both of these aspects are to be realized directly with industry in the KIT-coordinated project SyrVBreTT (Synergetic Network Fuel Cycle and Tritium Technologies) within a consortium.

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 prevent the helium concentration in the fusion plasma from rising too high, the reaction mixture in the stellarator must be continuously pumped out, cleaned, and then injected together with new fuel. The entirety of the systems required for this process is referred to as the internal fuel cycle. Since the tritium needed for the fusion reaction does not occur naturally due to its short half-life of a few years, it must be produced technically in so-called breeding blankets. All the systems necessary for this are referred to as the external fuel cycle. "In our project, we are developing the technical components necessary for both cycles, such as pumps, storage beds, and pellet injection systems," says Giegerich.

To avoid interface problems with the individual components, the internal and external fuel cycles are being developed together and in coordination. Additionally, targeted simulations and experimental investigations are to ensure that the technologies can be validated realistically. "A Fuel Cycle Test Facility is being established here at KIT, where all relevant systems can be tested under real conditions," says Giegerich. This is a crucial step to enable the transition from experiment to practical application. (tk)

Link: More at KIT Energy Center

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