The Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has announced a major breakthrough in the development of nuclear fusion technology, after two key superconducting magnets successfully passed final inspection and testing at full operating parameters.
Both systems were developed as part of one of China’s “artificial sun” projects, and their key technologies and production were fully realized in China.
The most important part of the project is the toroidal field superconducting magnet, or TF magnet, which became the largest device of its kind ever made for a single fusion system.
Largest superconductor, magnet key to development of China’s ‘artificial sun’
The magnet is 21 meters long, 12 meters wide and 3.3 meters high, while its total weight is 582 tons. Its volume is approximately 1.3 times larger than the TF magnets used in the international ITER project, while it can store three times more energy.
The toroidal magnet is one of the key components of a tokamak fusion reactor. Its task is to create an extremely strong magnetic field that keeps the plasma heated to a temperature higher than 100 million degrees Celsius.
It took six years to design, develop and test this system. During the work, 47 approved patents were registered, while 14 new technical standards were established.
At the same time, the testing of the superconducting coil of the central solenoid, which endures enormous temperatures, was also completed. The system worked stably at a current of 60 kiloamperes and stored 6.03 megajoules of energy, and according to the institute, its results reach the world’s leading level.
The central solenoid is tasked with inducing and maintaining the current in the plasma, as well as helping to control its shape inside the reactor.
Both magnetic systems use key technologies developed domestically, thus reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and confirming the growth of China’s research and production capacities in the field of fusion.
This result represents an important step for the Chinese program CRAFT, i.e. Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology, which is aimed at the development of key technologies needed for future fusion reactors, reports CGTN.