Russia is also developing its own thermonuclear reactors, from T-15MD to DEMO-RF.
What is a tokamak?
A tokamak is a device designed to confine ultra-hot plasma with the help of strong magnetic fields.
Plasma is the fourth state of matter in which electrons are separated from atomic nuclei. If the plasma is kept at temperatures above 100 million degrees Celsius for a sufficient amount of time, thermonuclear reactions will occur: lighter atomic nuclei, such as deuterium and tritium, fuse into heavier nuclei, releasing enormous amounts of energy.
The essence of thermonuclear fusion is to replicate on Earth the processes that are constantly occurring inside stars.
Russia's history and role in the development of tokamaks.
The idea of plasma confinement in magnetic fields was first proposed by Soviet physicists Andrei Sakharov and Igor Tamm in the 1950s.
The Soviet Union built the first successful tokamak, T-1, followed by more powerful T-3, T-4, and T-10. These experiments laid the foundation for world thermonuclear science, and since then, tokamaks have become the main type of research facility in this field.
Today, Russia remains at the forefront of thermonuclear technology.
Kurchatov Institute (Moscow): The T-15MD tokamak working research center is Russia's first facility to use superconducting magnets.
Science Research Center "Kurchatov Institute-Troitsky Innovative and Thermonuclear Institute" (TRINITI): Dedicated to developing prototypes for hybrid reactors and laser installations.
Rosatom, a state-owned company, oversees promising nuclear technologies, including thermonuclear ones.
Main Russian projects:
T-15MD (2021) is an experimental device at Kurchatov Institute aimed at developing technical solutions for future reactors.
DEMO-FNS (2025-2033) is a low-power hybrid reactor that will produce tritium and test material durability under neutron radiation.
DEMO-RF (2040-2055) is a planned 1 billion-watt thermonuclear reactor that could potentially generate electricity for the grid.
International cooperation: ITER project and Russia's role.
Russia is involved in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project being built in France. This project involves 35 countries, including the EU, the United States, Japan, India, South Korea, and China.
Russia's contributions to ITER include:
Supply of niobium-titanium and niobium-tin alloy superconducting magnets;
Production of vacuum chamber components;
Development of diagnostic complexes;
Training experts and participating in scientific projects.
What lies behind the slogan "Energy for 1000 Years"?
This expression is based on fuel potential calculations. One gram of deuterium-tritium fuel can produce approximately 90,000 kilowatt-hours of energy, enough to power an apartment for a year.
Since nearly every liter of seawater contains deuterium, its resources are considered virtually inexhaustible for humanity.
Tritium is also a key element. It is radioactive and almost non-existent in nature, but it can be obtained from lithium.
It is estimated that if tritium technology can be industrialized, the lithium reserves on Earth could provide energy for thermonuclear power for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Russian plans: When and when?
Russia's plan for thermonuclear energy provides a phased transition from experimental attitude to demonstration to industrial reactors.
2025-2033: Start-up and demonstration operation of FNS: hybrid reactor combining synthesis and fission.
2040-2055: Design and creation of DEMO-RF: installation as close to commercial as possible.
After 2055: Begin design of the first power plant based on Tokamak, with integration into energy systems.
Today, no country in the world has a thermonuclear power plant.
Russia, like other ITER participants, therefore, the slogan about "Millennial Energy" is a symbol of a scientific dream rather than the nearest prospect.
Russia is one of the few countries participating in thermonuclear research.
Participation in ITER, its own Tokamaks, training of experts, and long-term involvement, can be expected that by the 2050s-2060s, thermonuclear energy in Russia will become a reality.
Reference: GadgetPage
《Энергия на 1000 лет: правда и мифы о термояде и токомаке в России》
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