Nuclear fusion: the energy of the future [ Return towards  High Tech  ]

Nuclear fusion is the reaction that occurs all the time at the sun’s core and that transforms hydrogen into helium, generating a large quantity of energy. Mastering this reaction will make it possible to produce a large amount of energy, which is then transformed into power.

A Tokamak is a physics’ based instrument whose purpose is to generate plasmas which enable to reach the conditions required for the controlled nuclear fusion of atoms. In order to obtain the very powerful electromagnetic fields necessary for the confinement of this physical reaction, superconducting magnets must be used, which only function at extremely low temperatures. It is liquid helium which enables such temperatures to be maintained within the Tokamak.

The Group’s engineers have designed, produced and put in operation a new superfluid helium liquefaction and distribution system to bring the entire device down to a temperature of -269 °C. 

Building from recognized expertise in the scientific and industrial world, Air Liquide has been working for more than 20 years on the most important nuclear fusion projects and notably: Tore Supra in France, JET in Great Britain, SST-1 in India.The Group's teams will be able to bring their expertise to the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project, designed to show the feasibility of power generation through nuclear fusion.