The discussion centers on the Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator, its construction timeline, and its role in nuclear fusion research. Participants explore the implications of its design and operational status, comparing it to other fusion projects like ITER and various tokamaks.
Participants express differing views on the speed of construction of Wendelstein 7-X and its significance in the context of fusion research. There is no consensus on whether it represents a quick construction project or if it is delayed compared to other facilities.
Some participants note that the discussion involves complex timelines and historical data that may not be fully resolved, and there are varying interpretations of what constitutes a successful or timely construction project in the field of nuclear fusion.
Hercuflea said:What's interesting about this is it shows how fast fusion experiments can be built when not bogged down by the politics of a global regulatory committee like ITER.
The DIII-D tokamak evolved from the earlier Doublet III device in 1986. Since then, the facility has undergone a number of changes including the installation of divertor baffles and pumping chambers in the vacuum vessel, the addition of a radiation shield, the development of extensive neutral beam and RF heating systems, and the addition of a comprehensive plasma control system. The facility has become the focus of a broad fusion plasma science research programme. An integrated picture of the facility and its capabilities is presented.
February 03, 2016
The Wendelstein 7-X fusion device at Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) in Greifswald produced its first hydrogen plasma on 3 February 2016. This marks the start of scientific operation. Wendelstein 7-X, the world’s largest fusion device of the stellarator type, is to investigate this configuration’s suitability for use in a power plant.
Since the start of operation on 10 December 2015 Wendelstein 7-X has produced more than 300 discharges with the rare gas, helium. These served primarily to clean the plasma vessel. The cleaner the vessel wall, the more the plasma temperature increased, finally attaining six million degrees. In addition, plasma heating and data recording were tested, and the first measuring facilities for investigating the plasma were put into operation, viz. complex instrumentation such as X-ray spectrometers, interferometers, laser scattering and video diagnostics. “This makes everything ready for the next step”, states Project Head Professor Dr. Thomas Klinger. “We are changing from helium to hydrogen plasmas, our proper subject of investigation.”
The first hydrogen plasma, which was switched on at a ceremony on 3 February 2016 attended by numerous guests from the realms of science and politics, marks the start of scientific operation of Wendelstein 7-X.
Perhaps a more correct description is "plasma physics" or "plasma stability" experiment.mfb said:"Fusion" experiment.
They don't plan to have relevant fusion power in that device. It is a plasma experiment, although the plasma is mainly studied for future fusion reactors.