Researchers at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, and Anhui Normal University have made significant strides in fusion energy technology through their work on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). Led by Y.Q. Tao, the team has developed a new feedback control method aimed at addressing one of the most pressing challenges in fusion research: managing the extreme heat loads on divertor target plates.
The concept of divertor detachment offers a potential solution to this problem by allowing the tokamak to handle excess heat more effectively. However, the research team identified a critical issue: during long-pulse operations, off-normal events—such as excessive impurity seeding or loss of heating—can disrupt the main plasma and lead to instability or even disruptions in the fusion process. To counter these risks, the researchers introduced a stored-energy monitoring module that helps maintain plasma stability.
This monitoring system works by tracking the stored energy of the plasma. When the energy drops below a specific threshold, the module automatically shuts off the impurity seeding system, allowing the plasma to stabilize and recover. Only when the stored energy exceeds a second threshold does the system resume impurity seeding to continue the detachment operation. This innovative approach was successfully tested during EAST’s recent radiative divertor experiments, showcasing its effectiveness in maintaining energy confinement while managing heat loads.
In practical terms, this research holds considerable promise for the future of fusion energy. As countries and companies invest in developing fusion reactors, the ability to maintain stable plasma conditions will be crucial for achieving sustained energy output. The EAST experiments demonstrated a typical discharge lasting around 20 seconds, with a heating power of approximately 5 MW, and achieved a high energy confinement factor, showcasing the potential for efficient operation.
Y.Q. Tao emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “These achievements provide an important demonstration of the actively controlled radiative divertor mitigating the heat loads with good core confinement.” This underscores the potential for commercial applications of this technology in future fusion reactors, which could lead to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
As the energy sector increasingly looks for innovative solutions to meet growing demands, advancements like those from EAST could pave the way for more reliable and efficient fusion energy systems. Published in ‘Nuclear Fusion’, this research represents a significant step forward in the quest for practical fusion energy, with potential implications not just for science, but also for the commercial landscape of energy production.
