Tokamak Gets One More Step Closer to Completion, With Progress in Its Super Magnetic System
The scope of nuclear fusion power has taken a huge step forward with the pulsed superconducting magnet system, which sits in the center of ITER's tokamak reactor in Southern France, as reported by Earth. The 3,000-ton system is made out of metal and superconducting cables. Researchers are thrilled, as the system would give an energy payoff that has never been gained before in nuclear fusion. The payoff is estimated to be ten‑to‑one, meaning that only 50 megawatts of external power will lead to 500 megawatts of fusion heat. It is a big development in the pursuit of making nuclear fusion a viable commercial energy production option that can compete with the output of fossil fuel sources. Karim El Hamdani, along with his team from the ITER organization, is currently working to make the superconducting magnet system and tokamak reactor work together.
Components of the Supermagnetic System
Experts claim that the pulsed supermagnetic system can store star‑hot plasma for energy generation. The final component of this supermagnetic system was the sixth module of the Central Solenoid, according to Phys. The Central Solenoid is supposed to be the system's most powerful magnet, with enough strength to lift an aircraft carrier. Along with the Central Solenoid, the supermagnetic system is composed of six ring-shaped Poloidal Field (PF) magnets. Recently, the construction of the Central Solenoid has been completed, and it is soon going to be moved from the USA to France. The whole system is supposed to act as the electromagnetic heart of the Tokamak.
How does the Supermagnetic System Function?
ITER is a collaboration between 30 countries, whose objective is to understand the viability of energy generation through fusion. Fusion is the process through which the sun and stars generate energy. Researchers are interested in this process because its fuel source, hydrogen, is abundant on Earth, and there are no carbon emissions, which, in the case of fossil fuels, are damaging the Earth. Through Tokamak, ITER believes they have unlocked a new development in nuclear fusion efficiency.
The proposed plan for energy production in Tokamak begins with injecting a few grams of hydrogen fuel, deuterium, and tritium gas into the Tokamak chamber. Thereafter, the pulsed magnet system would send an electric current, which would ionize the gas and create plasma, a cloud composed of charged particles. The magnets will then create a cage of sorts, which will trap the ionized plasma. External heating apparatus of the chamber will elevate the temperature of the plasma to 150 million degrees Celsius, ten times hotter than the sun. In such heat, the atomic nuclei present inside the plasma will start to combine and fuse, releasing energy in the process.
Unprecedented Energy Payoff
Researchers believe that the setup could give a ten‑to‑one energy payoff. It is an unprecedented milestone and is named Q ≥ 10 by experts. Fulfillment of milestones like this indicates a future where the commercial functions of fossil fuel could be taken up by nuclear fusion. "This achievement proves that when humanity faces existential challenges like climate change and energy security, we can overcome national differences to advance solutions," Pietro Barabaschi, ITER Director-General, said. "The ITER Project is the embodiment of hope. With ITER, we show that a sustainable energy future and a peaceful path forward are possible." Currently, the Tokamak is in its assembly phase, with the most recent development being the delivery of nineteen gigantic toroidal field coils from Japan and Europe.