Giant 12-tonne vessel installed to double heating power at UK fusion machine
UK Atomic Energy Authority engineers have lifted a 12-tonne vessel into place at the MAST Upgrade fusion machine at Culham Campus. The vessel will house two extra neutral beam injectors, which fire fast atoms into the plasma to heat it, doubling heating power from 4.4 MW to 8.8 MW. Andrew Thornton, Head of MAST Upgrade Operations, said this will let scientists test conditions needed for future power plants, and fitting is expected to finish by the end of autumn 2027.
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What does it mean?
Fusion is the process that powers the sun, and scientists are trying to copy it to make electricity. This vessel is a key piece that will let the MAST Upgrade machine heat its plasma much hotter, to about 60 million degrees Celsius, so researchers can test designs for future power plants.
Who is affected?
Fusion researchers and engineers working on MAST Upgrade and the UK's STEP prototype power plant.
What changes?
Before, MAST Upgrade's neutral beam heating power was 4.4 MW; with the new vessel it is expected to rise to 8.8 MW.