What is India’s Role in Building a ‘Mini Sun’ in France?

During a three-day visit to France, PM Modi visited the International Thermal Nuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in southern France. Iter, the world’s largest scientific experiment, aims to master nuclear fusion by creating “mini suns.” India played a crucial role in the project, contributing 10% of the cost and building a cryostat that houses the nuclear reactor.

The ITER project originated in the mid-1980s and initially involved a collaborative effort involving seven partners: the United States, Russia, South Korea, Japan, China, India and the European Union (EU). The estimated cost of the project is over 22 billion euros.

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What is Iter’s vision behind the Mini Sun project?

Source: ScienceFocus

The International Thermal Nuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), also known as the “road”, aims to provide the world with an unlimited supply of clean energy.

The world’s largest Tokamak device, ITER, will be the first fusion device to generate more heat than the emission fusion reaction. It will rely on cutting-edge technologies essential for future converged power to test the magnetic limitations of converged energy production. ITER’s millions of components and advanced systems will be used to measure performance and inform future development of commercial converged power plants.

Iteration is a cooperative effort involving 35 countries, including India, the United States, the European Union, China, Russia and South Korea. The project began in 2006 to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear convergence as a viable energy source on Earth. Unlike today’s nuclear fission that supplies power and produces radioactive waste, fusion does not produce long-term waste and emits zero greenhouse gases.

What is nuclear fusion?

Source: Energy

Nuclear fusion is a process in which two photonuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy.

Plasma is often called the fourth state of matter, consisting of charged particles and free electrons. Unlike solids, liquids and gases, it exhibits unique properties under extreme conditions, making it an ideal environment for fusion reactions.

Like our sun, stars use nuclear fusion to generate energy. Within the core of the sun, temperatures soared to about ten million degrees Celsius. This strong heat enables the nucleus to overcome its natural repulsion and collide with enough force to allow strong nuclear forces to bind them together to initiate fusion.

Maintaining fusion requires confining the reaction nucleus to a specific area to optimize collisions. The huge gravity of the sun provides the necessary pressure to maintain continuous fusion reactions.

How does nuclear fusion create a “mini sun”?

Fusion occurs when two hydrogen atoms combine at extremely high pressures and temperatures to form helium atoms and release a lot of energy. The process involved is the same as the Sun and other stars gaining power. Iter’s scientists are working to replicate the process within Tokamak, a forceful reactor that uses a powerful magnetic field to limit plasma-the superheated gas that fuses. Unlike nuclear fission (used in current reactors), fusion also produces zero greenhouse gas emissions. It does not produce long-term radioactive waste and also provides endless energy.

How does Iter Tokamak help create a “mini sun”?

Source: BBC ScienceFocus

The world’s largest Tokamak device found in Iter, using magnetic fields to limit plasma at extreme temperatures. The temperature is expected to be 10 times higher than the core of the sun (150 million °C). Here are some aspects:

aspect	detail
weight	23,000 tons (equivalent to 3 Eiffel towers)
Element	More than 1 million parts
building	39 structures spanning areas similar to Wembley Stadium
Estimated cost	$22 billion (may increase to $65 billion)
Completion date

Now, we will look at the dimensional complexity of the project and its challenges and reasons for its delays.

Size and complexity

The ITER project spans 39 large buildings and covers areas comparable to the Wembley Stadium in England. The Tokamak itself weighs 23,000 tons (equivalent to three Eiffel towers), including more than 10 million individual parts.

Challenges and delays

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Despite its groundbreaking potential, Yitel faces huge delays due to the complexity of assembling primary components. The project was initially completed in 2020 and was only fully assembled in 2024. Scientists now predict that the first plasma experiment will begin in 2039.

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The role of India in iteration

India has played a crucial role in the ITER project by contributing financially and technically. Here is a structured breakdown of its participation:

Source: Reuters

Financial contribution

India joined ITER as a formal partner in 2005, pledging to provide 10% of the total cost of the project. The project’s initially estimated cost was $5 billion, and has soared to about $22 billion, with some estimates indicating a final cost of $65 billion. Despite these costs, India remains unwaveringly committed to contributing financially and technically to ensure ITER’s success.

Engineering and technical contributions

India plays a crucial role in developing some of the most important components of iterations:

• Cryostat – Iter: The largest component designed and built by Gujarat Larsen & Toubro, the Cryostat is the largest high-efficiency, Ultra-Cool chamber in the world. It surrounds Tokamak’s superconducting magnet and keeps temperatures as low as -193 degrees Celsius. The cryostat consists of 54 individual units, each transporting four parts to France and being assembled on site in 2020.

Source: ProjectsMonitor

• Frozen lines and cooling systems: India has developed a cryogenic pipeline (freeze lines) that transports liquid nitrogen and helium to keep the reactor’s components at optimal temperatures. These systems are crucial to ensure the stability and efficiency of fusion reactions within Tokamak.

• Plasma Heating and Power Systems: Indian engineers contributed to the development of external heating systems that helped keep the plasma inside the reactor above 150 million degrees Celsius, hotter than the core of the sun. The country also provides power components to help maintain magnetic fields that are critical to plasma constraints.

• Vacuum container shield and diagnostic subsystem: India provides wall covers for vacuum containers, a key component of a reactor containing a fusion reaction. Advanced diagnostic subsystems developed in India help monitor and control plasma behavior within Tokamak.

Source: BBC ScienceFocus

India is increasingly concerned about nuclear energy

India’s participation in ITER’s involvement is consistent with its broader strategy to expand nuclear energy as a clean energy source. The country aims to increase its nuclear capacity from the current 8,180 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-32 and eventually reach 100 GW by 2047.

Policy Plan

The government plans to amend the Nuclear Damage Act and the Atomic Energy Act to promote more investment in nuclear energy. Nuclear Energy Mission announced in the 2024 budget, with Rs 2 billion granting for research and development of small modular reactors (SMRs), with five indigenous SMRs planned to deploy in 2033.

in conclusion

India’s contribution to iteration highlights its growing leadership in advanced scientific research and clean energy programs. As the world moves towards sustainable energy solutions, India’s role in developing nuclear fusion technologies positiones it at the forefront of global efforts to combat climate change and transition to a carbon-free future. By investing in nuclear convergence and expanding its domestic nuclear capacity, India not only wants to ensure its energy future, but also plays a key role in shaping the world’s sustainable energy landscape.

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Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion