UK Fusion Programme 2008-2010
Lead Research Organisation:
CCFE/UKAEA
Department Name: Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
Abstract
Fusion is the main energy source of the universe; it is the process that powers the sun and the stars. If it can be harnessed economically on earth, it has the potential to be an important component of the portfolio of measures needed to ensure a secure, environmentally responsible, supply of energy, at a time when fossil fuels will be becoming increasingly expensive. There is increasing realisation of this potential as reflected by the launch of the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, being built in France, which will be the first fusion device to achieve energy gain and sustained burn.In a fusion reaction, large amounts of energy are released when the nuclei of two light atoms fuse together at extremely high temperatures to create a nucleus of a larger atom. In the most promising way to achieve these conditions on earth, strong magnetic fields in a tokamak configuration are used to control and confine the high temperature plasma.UKAEA's Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire is one of the world's leading fusion research centres, and contributes to fusion research in two ways: (i) through the UK's own programme focused on the spherical tokamak experiment MAST, and (ii) by contributing to the Joint European Torus (JET) programme. International co-operation is strong with the focus on the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER). EURATOM part-funds all national programmes in Europe including the UK's.Experimental programmes on the MAST and JET tokamaks are performed to help resolve and refine understanding of key physics issues for ITER. In addition, experimental programmes on MAST focus on testing the potential of the spherical tokamak as a more compact option for future fusion devices. A strong theory and modelling group, utilising parallel- and super-computing facilities, supports the experimental programmes and contributes to the research and development of fusion materials and to studies of conceptual fusion power stations. The UK leads the research and development of two ITER specialist (diagnostic and heating) systems, and participates in several others of these large complex projects.The results of the research are presented in reports and publications, and at conferences, expert groups and specialist committees. Collaborations with researchers in other areas of science and technology are pursued strongly, where the research overlaps with fusion R&D, and increasingly there are fusion researchers in universities with whom UKAEA works.The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the European Commission fund, provide advice and monitor the UK fusion programme (some of the European funding / for work on ITER systems - is now channelled through the new Fusion for Energy Agency in Barcelona). The Fusion Advisory Board (FAB) advises EPSRC and UKAEA on the programme and on the longer-term strategy for fusion research at Culham; FAB receives reports from the MAST Programme Advisory Committee, a sub-group on ITER and industry, and an annual UK Fusion Materials Forum.
Organisations
Publications
Brombin M
(2008)
Real-time electron density measurements from Cotton-Mouton effect in JET machine.
in The Review of scientific instruments
S E Sharapov (Author)
(2008)
Magnetic turbulence associated with confinement changes in JET
S Saarelma (Author)
(2008)
Global turbulence simulations of CYCLONE base case and MAST plasmas
Maddison G
(2008)
Visualization of Internal Magnetic Structure During Pellet Refueling of MAST Tokamak Plasmas
in IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science
Llewellyn Smith C
(2008)
Fusion
in Energy Policy
S E Sharapov (Co-Author)
(2008)
Modelling of beam-driven high frequency Alfvén eigenmodes in MAST
Brutti S
(2008)
Lattice stability of intermediate phases of the Sr-Si system
in Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Kalupin D
(2008)
Edge transport barrier formation studies on JET with the JETTO code
in Nuclear Fusion
Kovari M
(2008)
Thermographic measurement of the emittance plot of a single positive ion beamlet.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Laborde L
(2008)
Simulation of Joint European Torus beta scan experiments using theory-based models
in Physics of Plasmas
Yousef T
(2008)
Numerical experiments on dynamo action in sheared and rotating turbulence
in Astronomische Nachrichten
Avrigeanu M
(2008)
Fast-neutron induced pre-equilibrium reactions on 55Mn and 63,65Cu at energies up to 40 MeV
in Nuclear Physics A
Andrew Y
(2008)
H-mode access on JET and implications for ITER
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Y Andrew (Co-Author)
(2008)
Radial electric field profiles in JET advanced tokamak scenarios
McDonald D
(2008)
JET confinement studies and their scaling to high ß N , ITER scenarios
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
R J Hastie (Co-Author)
(2008)
Effect of a runaway electron current on tearing modes
Valovic M
(2008)
Particle confinement of pellet-fuelled H-mode plasmas in the Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Arcis N
(2008)
Mechanism of neoclassical tearing modes triggering by a magnetic perturbation
in Physics Letters A
Portone A
(2008)
Linearly perturbed MHD equilibria and 3D eddy current coupling via the control surface method
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
De Vries P
(2008)
Effect of toroidal field ripple on the formation of internal transport barriers
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Kirk A
(2008)
Comparison of the spatial and temporal structure of type-I ELMs
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Murari A
(2008)
Measuring the radiation field and radiation hard detectors at JET: Recent developments
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
M Turnyanskiy (Author)
(2008)
Off axis NBCD experiments on MAST
K G McClements (Co-Author)
(2008)
Test-particle simulations of collisional impurity transport in rotating spherical tokamak plasmas
Peacock N
(2008)
Anticipated X-ray and VUV spectroscopic data from ITERwith appropriate diagnostic instrumentation
in Canadian Journal of Physics
Voss G
(2008)
Conceptual design of a component test facility based on the spherical tokamak
in Fusion Engineering and Design
S Knipe (Co-Author)
(2008)
Tritium in Fusion: R&D in the EU
in Fusion Science & Technology
L Garzotti (Author)
(2008)
Observation and analysis of pellet material VB drift on MAST
Alfier A
(2008)
Edge T e and n e profiles during type-I ELM mitigation experiments with perturbation fields on JET
in Nuclear Fusion
Kirk A
(2008)
Comparison of the filament behaviour observed during type I ELMs in ASDEX upgrade and MAST
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Schneider W
(2008)
Comparison of the IOFFE neutral particle analyser with the Princeton analyser on the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak
in Vacuum
Roach C
(2008)
The 2008 Public Release of the International Multi-tokamak Confinement Profile Database
in Nuclear Fusion
McAdams R
(2008)
Low Temperature Plasma Assisted Catalytic Reduction of NO x in Simulated Marine Diesel Exhaust
in Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing
Wilson P
(2008)
State-of-the-art 3-D radiation transport methods for fusion energy systems
in Fusion Engineering and Design
Buttery R
(2008)
The influence of rotation on the ßN threshold for the 2/1 neoclassical tearing mode in DIII-D
in Physics of Plasmas
Moreau D
(2008)
A two-time-scale dynamic-model approach for magnetic and kinetic profile control in advanced tokamak scenarios on JET
in Nuclear Fusion
Liu Y
(2008)
Toroidal self-consistent modeling of drift kinetic effects on the resistive wall mode
in Physics of Plasmas
Nazikian R
(2008)
Excitation of Alfvén eigenmodes by low energy beam ions in the DIII-D and JET tokamaks
in Physics of Plasmas
Zastrow KD
(2008)
Modeling the effect of reflection from metallic walls on spectroscopic measurements.
in The Review of scientific instruments
S Sharapov (Co-Author)
(2008)
Fast Particle driven Alfvén quasimodes in tokamaks
Zucchetti M
(2008)
An integrated approach to the back-end of the fusion materials cycle
in Fusion Engineering and Design
Gryaznevich M
(2008)
Recent experiments on Alfvén eigenmodes in MAST
in Nuclear Fusion
Nicol R
(2008)
The Signature of Evolving Turbulence in Quiet Solar Wind as Seen by Ulysses
in The Astrophysical Journal
J W Connor (Co-Author)
(2008)
The interaction between tearing modes and transport in plasmas
Rattá GA
(2008)
Feature extraction for improved disruption prediction analysis at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Nguyen-Manh D
(2008)
The Fe-Cr system: atomistic modelling of thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transformations
in Comptes Rendus. Physique
Kempenaars M
(2008)
Enhancement of the JET edge LIDAR Thomson scattering diagnostic with ultrafast detectors.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Corre Y
(2008)
Hybrid H-mode scenario with nitrogen seeding and type III ELMs in JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
A R Field (Author)
(2008)
Momentum transport in MAST spherical tokamak plasmas
Nicholls R
(2008)
How the bond length can affect C 70 DOS and EEL spectra
in Journal of Physics: Conference Series
| Description | Fusion research is focused on ITER (the international experiment being built in France) followed by a demonstration power station (DEMO). The Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) is a world-leading fusion research centre. Some highlights from the last two years are summarised below (many the result of collaborations with universities and overseas laboratories). Additional information is in Annual Reports (http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/annual_reports.aspx). Reacting plasmas: The UK programme, funded by EPSRC and EURATOM, is focused on the MAST experiment. Physics studies benefited from high power heating systems and improvements to diagnostics. A major upgrade to the system to measure temperature and density profiles (part funded by York University) was completed and provides unmatched spatial resolution. Important progress from both MAST, and the linked Theory and Modelling programme, has been made in several key areas directly relevant to optimising ITER performance:- energy confinement, enabling more reliable prediction of plasma performance in future devices; control of potentially damaging instabilities; improved understanding of performance limiting core and edge plasma instabilities; gas injection to mitigate the effects of rapid plasma terminations (disruptions), etc. CCFE has contributed to the European JET programme, with notable achievements including operation at high power and current, and substantial progress in scenarios that are suitable for steady state operation in ITER. The EPSRC grant pays the UK contribution to JET operation. Materials: Work included: development of techniques for modelling iron-chromium alloys in the high-temperature limit; modelling of steels and tungsten to compare with experimental data from Oxford University; Ion Beam Analysis measurements of erosion, deposition and hydrogen-isotope retention in tiles removed from the JET tokamak. ITER Systems: CCFE has secured lead roles in two major grants to develop ITER heating systems, and leads a consortium to bid for the LIDAR temperature and density measurement system. CCFE has smaller roles in several other areas. Optimised power plants: Work has concentrated on a detailed assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of pulsed and steady-state DEMOs. Several clear advantages in a steady-state device were identified, however the potential simplification in a pulsed device (greatly reduced need for current drive) is a significant counter-advantage. Conceptual design studies of a spherical tokamak Component Test Facility have continued. A big challenge for any fusion system is dealing with the large exhaust power from burning plasmas. One novel promising option, for both DEMO and CTF, which will be part of the MAST upgrade, is the "Super-X" expanded divertor. Major upgrade to MAST: the design has been developed. The purpose is to give higher performance, longer pulse plasmas allowing definitive tests of the physics of an ST-based CTF, and more exacting studies of ITER physics. In late 2009, RCUK reviewed UK fusion research and following this EPSRC approved funding for the upgrade. In addition CCFE has promoted industry involvement in fusion and significantly assisted UK companies in winning ITER business, increased university involvement (e.g. PhDs), and developed its skills-base for an increased emphasis on technology as recommended by the RCUK review. |
| Exploitation Route | In addition CCFE has promoted industry involvement in fusion and significantly assisted UK companies in winning ITER business, increased university involvement (e.g. PhDs), and developed its skills-base for an increased emphasis on technology as recommended by the RCUK review. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| URL | http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/annual_reports.aspx |
| Description | As well as its long term task, developing fusion power, CCFE has promoted industry involvement in fusion. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
| Sector | Energy |
| Impact Types | Economic |