Re:Compact nuclear fusion reactor is 'very likely to work,' ...
by GuB-42 on Tuesday September 29, 2020 @08:40PM
(#24634696)
I didn't see the details but it looks like both ITER and Sparc are both Tokamaks performing D-T fusion.
And in fact, it looks like Sparc is more of an exercise in making fusion reactors cheaper, most notably by using different magnets.
ITER is more about validating the concepts, with no regard for the price. Besides the fusion itself, ITER will study how to inject fuel and evacuate the waste products as it is running. They will also tackle the problem of producing the large quantities of tritium a fusion plant requires.
So, my understanding is that Sparc is not intended to make ITER obsolete, but instead tackle a different problem. If commercial fusion reactors happen one day, I expect they will have a bit of both.
And in fact, it looks like Sparc is more of an exercise in making fusion reactors cheaper, most notably by using different magnets. ITER is more about validating the concepts, with no regard for the price. Besides the fusion itself, ITER will study how to inject fuel and evacuate the waste products as it is running. They will also tackle the problem of producing the large quantities of tritium a fusion plant requires.
So, my understanding is that Sparc is not intended to make ITER obsolete, but instead tackle a different problem. If commercial fusion reactors happen one day, I expect they will have a bit of both.