Tungsten-Enclosed Nuclear Reactor Breaks Fusion Duration Record
Fusion research in France has hit a new milestone with the WEST tokamak, a doughnut-shaped device, breaking records in plasma sustainability. The device, operated by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), was encased in tungsten, a heat-resistant metal key to creating long-lasting, high-energy plasmas.
In operation, WEST was fueled with 1.15 gigajoules of energy and managed to keep a plasma temperature of around 50 million degrees Celsius for a staggering six minutes, making it the first device of its kind to reach a "stationary regime" in such conditions[1]. The exciting results were observed using an X-ray detector by researchers from Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory[2].
"This is fantastic!" exclaimed Xavier Litaudon, a CEA scientist and chair of the Coordination on International Challenges on Long duration OPeration (CICLOP), in a press release. "We've managed to sustain the plasma despite the challenging environment presented by the tungsten wall."
Tungsten finds itself at the forefront of fusion technology due to its extraordinarily high melting point. It's a significant upgrade from carbon, the traditional choice for such devices[1]. In fact, the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy has seen improved heat flux limits by two-fold after replacing its KSTAR tokamak's carbon diverter with a tungsten diverter earlier this year[2].
Luis Delgado-Aparicio, lead scientist for PPPL's physics research and X-ray detector project, explained why tungsten is the golden ticket for fusion research: "It's like trying to pet a kitten at home compared to attempting to handle the wildest lion in its natural habitat."
Nuclear fusion, where atoms join, releasing massive amounts of energy, holds tremendous potential in the realm of clean energy production. However, it's essential to note that this process should not be confused with nuclear fission, where atoms are split to create energy and produce nuclear waste[2].
Although advances in fusion technology have been sluggish, some promising developments cannot be ignored. Earlier this year, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory made headlines for achieving net energy gain in a fusion reaction for the first time[2]. Yet, we are still far from the much-anticipated zero-carbon energy source. Progress may be slow, but as Delgado-Aparicio says: "Every mountain has its molehills; you won't be able to know their significance in the context of progress unless you keep climbing."
- The use of tungsten in the WEST tokamak, a responsible choice for fusion technology, showcases its capabilities in maintaining long-lasting, high-energy plasmas, a critical aspect in the future of physics and technology.
- Tungsten's extraordinarily high melting point, making it a significant upgrade over carbon, allows fusion devices like the KSTAR tokamak to witness improved heat flux limits.
- The successful operation of the WEST tokamak, breaking plasma sustainability records, brings fusion research a step closer to the potential limit of clean energy production, with countries like France and Korea leading the way in this boondoggle.
- Luis Delgado-Aparicio, a prominent figure in fusion research, analogizes the significance of tungsten in fusion technology to handling a wild lion in its natural habitat, highlighting its importance in overcoming challenges and reaching new milestones in the field.
