KSTAR, a magnetic fusion device known as a tokamak, plays a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of fusion energy. The installation of the newly developed tungsten divertor, a critical upgrade from its previous carbon divertor, commenced a plasma experiment on December 21, 2023. This upgrade marks a notable shift in KSTAR's capabilities, as it moves towards achieving longer pulse operations.
The divertor, an essential plasma-facing component situated at the bottom of the vacuum vessel in tokamaks, is responsible for managing the exhaust of waste gas and impurities from the reactor. It also endures the highest surface heat loads within the device. The replacement of the carbon divertor with a tungsten one was necessitated by KSTAR's enhanced performance goals. The high heat flux during operations at 100 million degrees surpassed the tolerance limit of the carbon divertor.
This transition to a tungsten divertor, a material known for its high melting point and low sputtering characteristics, commenced in 2018. The first prototype was completed in 2021, and the installation process, which began in September 2022, spanned approximately a year. The new divertor comprises 64 cassettes, each made from tungsten mono-blocks, fully encircling the bottom of the vacuum vessel. This upgrade has effectively doubled the heat flux limit of the divertor to 10 MW/m, compared to the carbon variant.
The ongoing plasma experiments in the new tungsten divertor environment are set to continue until February 2024. These experiments are crucial, as they aim to verify stable operations within this new environment and reproduce KSTAR's ability to sustain 100-million-degree plasma.
KFE President, Dr. Suk Jae Yoo, emphasized the significance of this advancement, stating, "In KSTAR, we have implemented a divertor with tungsten material which is also the choice made in ITER. We will strive to contribute our best efforts in obtaining the necessary data for ITER through KSTAR experiments." This statement underscores the broader implications of KSTAR's upgrade, aligning its technology with that used in the ITER project, an international nuclear fusion research initiative.
Previously, KSTAR demonstrated its capability to sustain high-performance plasma operation for 30 seconds at ion temperatures over 100 million degrees. The installation of the tungsten divertor is a strategic move towards achieving the ambitious goal of extending this duration to 300 seconds by the end of 2026.
Related Links
National Research Council of Science and Technology
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