Detail

The first tokamak plasma was delivered on October 23 with a current of approximately 130 kiloamperes. Since then, numerous tests have been carried out to prevent plasma leakage, increase plasma current, and optimize control of the flow, shape, and position of the plasma.

At the beginning of November, “guided” or guiding plasma was obtained, which during the operation of the reactor was discharged by the magnetic field into peripheral units specially arranged for this purpose. This contributes to higher plasma purity, more efficient containment and ultimately higher reactor efficiency.

Submersible plasma with a current of 1 million amperes was demonstrated at the opening ceremony on December 1,
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Reactor JT-60SA / Photo JT-60SA project

What we know about thermonuclear energy

nuclear fusion It is a process that takes place in stars. When atomic nuclei combine into larger nuclei, enormous amounts of energy are released. The simplest types of fusion are fueled by hydrogen, which can be extracted relatively easily from water on Earth. Because stars are so massive, the fusion reaction takes place under very high pressure.

Such a pressure is impossible on Earth, so synthesis reactions must occur at very high temperatures and energy must first be expended to achieve them. This technology is in its infancy, but some believe it is the future. An important goal in thermonuclear energy research was to obtain more energy from the reaction than the cost of production. And science has already crossed this limit.

Although research and experiments in the field of thermonuclear fusion have been going on for decades and hundreds of reactors have been built around the world, it is still not possible to use this type of energy for commercial purposes. We still don’t know how to keep plasma long enough, and we haven’t overcome a number of problems yet. So this method is valid for the distant future.

What’s unique about the Japanese reactor

The new tokamak is based on the JT-60, which has been in operation since the 1980s. The reactor, which has been operating for more than 20 years and has gone through two modernizations, has reached the limit of its capabilities – it was decided to replace its elements with more advanced ones.

The operating principle of the Japanese installation will differ from ITER, a project implemented in Europe. JT-60SA does not work due to the synthesis of deuterium and tritium. In its place The reactor will use hydrogen first, then deuterium Studying plasma behavior. This allows the facility to become only minimally radioactive over its lifetime and provides much greater flexibility for upgrades.

Now the reactor’s capabilities are designed to maintain plasma for up to 100 secondsThis is a very good result, although the current record is 403 seconds. For this, JT-60SA is equipped with superconducting magnets that can create strong magnetic fields. Additionally, the design makes it possible to optimize the shape of the plasma, making it longer and “triangular” for better retention. The creators of JT-60SA hope to reach the “breakeven point”, where the energy released as a result of fusion reactions will exceed the energy consumed.