One of the most promising areas in the nuclear power industry is the type of rector, called a tokamak. It uses a very powerful magnetic field, which inside the special toroidal chamber (in the form of a hollow donut) is trapped by the heated plasma. One of the difficulties lies in the fact that the plasma inside the chamber is heated to enormous values – millions of degrees Celsius. Such temperatures typically can be found, for example, the crown of the Sun. Physicists from the UK say they have found a safe cooling method is heated up to million degrees plasma. Reported by the news publication, Reuters.
The new system developed by scientists of Department of atomic energy the UK uses a proven approach: plasma inside a tokamak is moving along a longer path, which leads to significant cooling. After that, she comes in contact with called “sacrificial wall.” Scientists have not yet disclosed the composition of the material of the block. At the moment we only know that under the influence of the plasma from a unit is destroyed, so every few years, it will need to be replaced.
The researchers hope that the first test of the new exhaust system will be held at the French experimental reactor ITER, under construction at the moment. The international team working on the construction of the reactor, the launch of which is planned for 2025, hopes that the installation will be the first in the history of the reactor for the production of clean energy. Its launch will be a significant step in the direction of practical production and use of fusion energy.
Ian Chapman, Executive Director of the UK atomic energy said in an interview with Reuters that the energy of the hot synthesis has a great potential. The commissioning of these reactors is projected for only a few years, not decades, as many might think.
“We are focused on the commercialization of thermonuclear fusion power. He has incredible potential. Will not be radioactive waste with long half-life, no CO2 emissions — environmentally friendly production. It’s a great idea, but we still have to work on its implementation”, — said the physicist.
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