We recently attended a virtual tour of The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) facility in Oxford. This facility is home to the largest experimental nuclear fusion reactor in the world, the joint European Torus (JET). The tour was led by Leah Morgan a project engineer working on the Joint European Torus and Nikolaus Muldal who has much experience in educating teenagers about advancements in science. In the tour, we were introduced to the cutting edge of nuclear fusion research and were also given huge insight into what it is like to work on an engineering/science project.
The tour started with an introduction to fusion and its importance in our future. Nikolaus took us through the process of nuclear fusion and its particular relevance to us. He first explained the current need to find new sources of energy that do not require the burning of fossil fuels and replacing these sources with other types of energy sources. He then explained to us the problems with Nuclear fission and the comparative advantages of fusion, being able to provide a safe and large amount of energy to replace fossil fuels. He then explained the fusion process and went on to explain the requirements for fusion. These requirements include changing the state of matter to plasma (superheated gas), hydrogen for fuel, high temperature (roughly 15 million degrees), high density (150 times water density), and high pressure (250 billion times atmospheric pressure). He then went on to show us the two reactors present in the facility, the JET and the Mast upgrade and explained the type of fusion device present on earth: the Tokamak which reaches temperatures of 150 million degrees, the hottest temperature found in the Milky Way Galaxy!
Next, we looked at the JET (Joint European Torus) experimental reactor and were given a brief overview of the reactor by Leah Morgan. She first took us through the jet control room, where the operators work performing experiments and ensuring that the reactor stays in good condition. We then looked at the power supply, which is connected to the national grid, and she explained to us the problems with ensuring that they are supplied with enough energy. We then looked at MASCOT which is like a “remote-controlled robot” and can go into the reactor and perform work on the reactor without endangering lives. We then moved on to the assembly hall, which is right next to JET, where parts are assembled and training is conducted for MASCOT. Finally, we looked at JET itself and Leah showed us the outside of JET and the different parts added to improve the reactor. We then got to see the inside of the reactor and Leah told us about the different parts that were present there.
We were then told about the future of nuclear fusion and looked at ITER – a Nuclear fusion megaproject that is a much bigger experimental device. Then we looked further into the future and to the possible production of actual powerplants running of Nuclear fission, DEMO and STEP. Finally, before the Q&A we were shown the multiple advantages of nuclear fusion, being a safer process, lower radioactive waste, no CO2 emissions, and plentiful fuels.
Finally, we finished our virtual tour with a Q&A where we got to ask questions and improve our understanding of nuclear fusion and its feasibility in the future. The questions ranged from ones about the feasibility of making a commercial fusion reactor, to specific questions about the makeup of JET itself, to how experiments are conducted, and even nuclear fusion’s viability on other planets. Overall, the tour was extremely enlightening for us and we were given a much better understanding of Nuclear fusion, the specifics of the UKAEA facility in Oxford, and the bright (but expensive!) future of nuclear fusion. Many thanks to Leah and Nikolaus for taking us on this tour and Mr Hnatek for helping to organize this amazing experience.