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
Arnoux G
(2009)
Heat loads on plasma facing components during disruptions on JET
in Nuclear Fusion
Tesch K
(2009)
Heat and mass transfer in air-fed pressurised suits
in Applied Thermal Engineering
R A Forrest (Author)
(2009)
Handbook of activation data calculated using EASY-2007
Andrew Y
(2008)
H-mode access on JET and implications for ITER
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Schekochihin A
(2008)
Gyrokinetic turbulence: a nonlinear route to dissipation through phase space
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Roach C
(2009)
Gyrokinetic simulations of spherical tokamaks
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
R J Akers (Co-Author)
(2009)
Gyrokinetic simulations of electron scale turbulence in spherical tokamak plasmas with flow shear
S Saarelma (Author)
(2008)
Global turbulence simulations of CYCLONE base case and MAST plasmas
Tardocchi M
(2008)
Gamma ray spectroscopy at high energy and high time resolution at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Sjöstrand H
(2009)
Gain stabilization control system of the upgraded magnetic proton recoil neutron spectrometer at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
S Cowley (Author)
(2009)
Fusion's wet blanket
in Nuclear Engineering International
Sjöstrand H
(2017)
Fusion Power Measurement Using a Combined Neutron Spectrometer-Camera System at JET
in Fusion Science and Technology
Llewellyn Smith C
(2008)
Fusion
in Energy Policy
Krasilnikov A
(2009)
Fundamental ion cyclotron resonance heating of JET deuterium plasmas
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Liu Y
(2009)
Full model based sensor optimization for RWM control
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Chiesa S
(2009)
Free energy of a ? 110 ? dumbbell interstitial defect in bcc Fe: Harmonic and anharmonic contributions
in Physical Review B
Fitzgerald S
(2010)
Frank-Read sources and the yield of anisotropic cubic crystals
in Philosophical Magazine Letters
Ford O
(2008)
Forward modeling of JET polarimetry diagnostic.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Samtaney R
(2009)
Formation of plasmoid chains in magnetic reconnection.
in Physical review letters
Boutard J
(2008)
Foreword
in Comptes Rendus. Physique
Chankin A
(2009)
Fluid code simulations of radial electric field in the scrape-off layer of JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
M F M De Bock (Author)
(2009)
First multi-chord MSE measurements on MAST
Schmidt A
(2009)
First demonstration of non-destructive tests on tungsten-coated JET divertor CFC tiles in the electron beam facility JUDITH-2
in Physica Scripta
Vagliasindi G
(2009)
First Application of Cellular Nonlinear Network Methods to the Real-Time Identification of Hot Spots in JET
in IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science
Dewhurst J
(2010)
Finite Larmor radius effects on test particle transport in drift wave-zonal flow turbulence
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Rattá GA
(2008)
Feature extraction for improved disruption prediction analysis at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Ash A
(2009)
Feasibility of a fast optical pressure interlock for the ITER neutral beam injectors
in Fusion Engineering and Design
Avrigeanu M
(2008)
Fast-neutron induced pre-equilibrium reactions on 55Mn and 63,65Cu at energies up to 40 MeV
in Nuclear Physics A
Iraji D
(2008)
Fast visible imaging of turbulent plasma in TORPEX.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Alonso J
(2009)
Fast visible imaging of ELM-wall interactions on JET
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
S D Pinches (Author)
(2009)
Fast particle instabilities in MAST
S Sharapov (Co-Author)
(2008)
Fast Particle driven Alfvén quasimodes in tokamaks
Sharapov S
(2017)
Fast Particle Driven Alfvén Eigenmodes in Tokamaks
in Fusion Science and Technology
Hirai T
(2009)
Failure modes of vacuum plasma spray tungsten coating created on carbon fibre composites under thermal loads
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
C Michael (Author)
(2009)
Exploitation of high resolution beam spectroscopy diagnostics on MAST
Dudson B
(2008)
Experiments and simulation of edge turbulence and filaments in MAST
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Humphreys D
(2009)
Experimental vertical stability studies for ITER performance and design guidance
in Nuclear Fusion
Ford O
(2009)
Experimental verification of relativistic finite temperature polarimetry effects at JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Mantica P
(2009)
Experimental study of the ion critical-gradient length and stiffness level and the impact of rotation in the JET tokamak.
in Physical review letters
Gryaznevich M
(2008)
Experimental studies of stability and beta limit in JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Sips A
(2009)
Experimental studies of ITER demonstration discharges
in Nuclear Fusion
A Kirk (Co-Author)
(2008)
Experimental observation of inter-ELM filaments in MAST
Nazikian R
(2008)
Excitation of Alfvén eigenmodes by low energy beam ions in the DIII-D and JET tokamaks
in Physics of Plasmas
Winskel M
(2009)
Examining the prospects for accelerated development of renewable energy technologies - and its impact on energy system decarbonisation
in IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
Bekris N
(2008)
Ex-situ tritium removal from JET tiles using RF inductive heating
in Fusion Engineering and Design
Cook I
(2009)
Evolving targets for DEMO: Implications for materials development
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Andrew Y
(2008)
Evolution of the radial electric field in a JET H-mode plasma
in EPL (Europhysics Letters)
Tala T
(2009)
Evidence of inward toroidal momentum convection in the JET tokamak.
in Physical review letters
Ribeiro C
(2008)
Evidence of cold bubble-like structure in START density limit plasmas
in Plasma Physics Reports
Masiello A
(2009)
European programme towards the 1MeV ITER NB injector
in Fusion Engineering and Design
| 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 |