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
Chapman I
(2009)
The effect of off-axis neutral beam injection on sawtooth stability in ASDEX Upgrade and Mega-Ampere Spherical Tokamak
in Physics of Plasmas
Gulejová B
(2009)
SOLPS5 simulations of Type I ELMing H-mode at JET
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
V G Kiptily (Author)
(2009)
Recent progress in fast-ion physics on JET
Marot L
(2009)
Reactivity of rhodium during co-deposition of rhodium and carbon
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
BĂ©coulet M
(2009)
Physics of penetration of resonant magnetic perturbations used for Type I edge localized modes suppression in tokamaks
in Nuclear Fusion
Rapp J
(2009)
Integrated scenario with type-III ELMy H-mode edge: extrapolation to ITER
in Nuclear Fusion
Brombin M
(2009)
Systematic comparison between line integrated densities measured with interferometry and polarimetry at JET.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Tamain P
(2009)
3D modelling of edge parallel flow asymmetries
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Chankin A
(2009)
Fluid code simulations of radial electric field in the scrape-off layer of JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Snyder P
(2009)
Pedestal stability comparison and ITER pedestal prediction
in Nuclear Fusion
Milnes J
(2009)
Qualitative assessment of RANS models for Hypervapotron flow and heat transfer
in Fusion Engineering and Design
De Temmerman G
(2009)
Insight into the co-deposition of deuterium with beryllium: Influence of the deposition conditions on the deuterium retention and release
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Militello F
(2009)
Effect of current corrugations on the stability of the tearing mode
in Physics of Plasmas
W Fundamenski (Author)
(2009)
ELM filament heat loads on plasma facing components in JET and ITER
Pitts R
(2009)
The impact of large ELMs on JET
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Ma P
(2009)
High-temperature dynamics of surface magnetism in iron thin films
in Philosophical Magazine
Rapp J
(2009)
Highly radiating type-III ELMy H-mode with low plasma core pollution
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Masiello A
(2009)
European programme towards the 1MeV ITER NB injector
in Fusion Engineering and Design
Ganuza D
(2009)
The design and manufacture of the enhanced radial field amplifier (ERFA) for the jet project
in Fusion Engineering and Design
Pusztai I
(2009)
Collisional model of quasilinear transport driven by toroidal electrostatic ion temperature gradient modes
in Physics of Plasmas
Y Andrew (Co-Author)
(2009)
Influence of rotational shear on triggering and sustainment of internal transport barriers on JET
Krieger K
(2009)
Be wall sources and migration in L-mode discharges after Be evaporation in the JET tokamak
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Hemsworth R
(2009)
Status of the ITER heating neutral beam system
in Nuclear Fusion
Westerhout J
(2009)
Chemical erosion of different carbon composites under ITER-relevant plasma conditions
in Physica Scripta
De Vries P
(2009)
Statistical analysis of disruptions in JET
in Nuclear Fusion
M Gryaznevich (Author)
(2009)
Resonant Field Amplification in JET advanced regimes
Llewellyn Smith C
(2009)
The path to fusion power
in The European Physical Journal Special Topics
Lilley MK
(2009)
Destabilizing effect of dynamical friction on fast-particle-driven waves in a near-threshold nonlinear regime.
in Physical review letters
J W Connor (Co-Author)
(2009)
The interaction between transport and reconnection processes
Park J
(2009)
Validation of on- and off-axis neutral beam current drive against experiment in DIII-D
in Physics of Plasmas
C D Challis (Co-Author)
(2009)
MHD stability limit analysis in JET high _N advanced scenarios
Coyne T
(2009)
De-convolution of complex residual gas spectra at JET
Connor J
(2009)
13th EU-US Transport Task Force Workshop on transport in fusion plasmas
in Nuclear Fusion
Kirov K
(2009)
Effects of ICRF induced density modifications on LH wave coupling at JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Jacquinot J
(2009)
Progress on the heating and current drive systems for ITER
in Fusion Engineering and Design
S Lisgo (Author)
(2009)
Super-X Advanced Divertor design for MAST upgrade
Wilson H
(2009)
The influence of magnetic islands on drift mode stability in magnetized plasma
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
W Fundamenski (Author)
(2009)
Power and particle exhaust: Recent progress on JET and implications for ITER
Forrest R
(2009)
The activation system EASY-2007
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Rubel M
(2009)
An overview of a comprehensive First Mirror Test for ITER at JET
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Stork D
(2009)
22nd IAEA Fusion Energy Conference: summary of contributions on Fusion Technology and ITER Activities
in Nuclear Fusion
M Nightingale (Co-Author)
(2009)
On the JET ITER-Like ICRF antenna and implications for the ICRF system for ITER
Martin P
(2009)
Overview of RFX-mod results
in Nuclear Fusion
Roach C
(2009)
Gyrokinetic simulations of spherical tokamaks
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Porro S
(2009)
Nanocrystalline diamond coating of fusion plasma facing components
in Diamond and Related Materials
Baranov Y
(2009)
Anomalous and classical neutral beam fast ion diffusion on JET
in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
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 |