EIRNS — Zhong Wulu, the Deputy Director of the Institute of Fusion Science at the Southwest Institute of Physics, gave an interview to Voice of China regarding the two reactors at their institute in Chengdu, including the recently completed HL-2M tokamak reactor. “This device is independently designed and built by China, using advanced structure and control methods, and it has the advantages of an advanced divertor configuration. It is currently the largest advanced tokamak device with the highest parameters in the country. The volume of the plasma is more than twice that of the existing domestic devices, the current capacity of the plasma can be increased to 2.5 mega-amps, and the temperature of the plasma ions can reach 150 million degrees, that is,10 times the core temperature of the Sun.”

During the construction of the HL-2M device, Zhong indicated, many breakthroughs had been made by the research and development units of the Southwest Institute of Physics: in device physics and structural design; in material connection and key component research and development; and in final assembly integration. “The detachable coil structure has been accomplished, the control operation level enhanced, and the physical experiment research ability of the device improved. The compression molding and welding deformation control of the large vacuum container of the high-nickel alloy hyperboloid thin-walled parts has been realized. The special-shaped copper alloy thick plate manufacturing process has provided the independent localization of high-strength expansion bolt components; and we have successfully developed the first domestic large-scale vertical-axis pulse generator set with an internationally advanced level.”

He then explained the nature of creating an “alternative Sun” and the importance for mankind, calling it “the most ideal energy source recognized by mankind.” He said that the feeling one had, studying nuclear fusion energy, is like the first time humans discovered fire. “The bonfire is bright and hopeful, and judging from the present situation, the feeling within the industry is that the commercial application of fusion energy will be realized by the middle of this century.”

Zhong said that the National Atomic Energy Agency of China is now studying the layout of an integrated nuclear fusion research and innovation system, creating a national-level nuclear fusion innovation research platform, a platform for exchanges between domestic and foreign experts and scholars, and a growth platform for young scientists to comprehensively promote the county’s leading role in the development of fusion energy. [wcj]