● Tokamak Consumable Replacement – High-Tech Secrets Revealed

Energy Innovation Through Cutting-Edge Automation Facilities, Tokamak Design, and Robotics

1. Application for Tour and Introduction to Research Status

There’s news that the Korea Fusion Energy Institute is accepting applications for KSTAR tours on its website.
Not only group tours but also small groups can participate, so I encourage those interested to apply.
As the world is focused on energy innovation and automation investments, this is an opportunity to see the latest designs and technologies of our research institute firsthand.

2. Automated Facilities vs. Smart Factories

Smart factories typically conjure up images of robots moving and assembling products on a conveyor belt.
However, automated facilities go a step further, referring to plants that operate in extreme environments like Tokamaks.
In other words, the difference lies in the system where robots directly move to replace necessary consumables and manage the complex interior of vacuum vessels.
From the perspective of global economic outlook and energy innovation, these smart plants have very high future investment value.

3. Tokamak Design and Vacuum Vessel Management

Inside the Tokamak building, there are complex arrangements and structures, including vacuum vessels.
From the initial design stage, elements such as robot use, parts replacement, and vacuum maintenance must be considered.
For example, like replacing RTV remote control batteries, securing space and structural design for easy parts replacement is essential.
There are difficulties in simultaneously solving the structural rigidity and vacuum leakage problems while creating ports (vacuum passages).

4. Application of Robotics and Maintenance Strategies

Inside the Tokamak, the process of replacing consumables like blankets and divertors is carried out very meticulously.
To this end, multiple stages of robots are deployed.
For example,
• Robots responsible for opening and closing ports and cutting pipes
• Robots that move and reinstall blankets
• Inspection equipment for checking the internal environment, etc., are operated simultaneously.
Robotics and automation systems ultimately play a crucial role in reducing the overall plant’s maintenance time and improving efficiency.

5. International Cooperation and Latest Research Trends

Countries such as the UK, France, China, the US, and Japan are competitively developing similar extreme environment robotics and automation technologies.
In particular, in the UK, digital twin technology is used to replicate the actual environment as it is, simulate it, and then optimize the robot’s movements.
Similarly, from a global economic outlook perspective, smart factories, automation, robotics, and energy innovation are directly related to national competitiveness.
At the same time, each country is significantly expanding its research personnel and budget to lead the future energy paradigm.

6. Importance of Design Optimization and Maintenance Efficiency

In automated facilities such as Tokamaks, cooperation between various groups is essential during parts replacement or maintenance.
Because the space allocation and port allocation priorities required by each team directly affect the design,
An optimal design strategy that maximizes the efficiency of the entire system is important.
In the future, researchers plan to focus on strengthening domestic technology and cooperating with overseas technology to prevent leakage of design drawings and increase efficiency at the same time.

7. Future Prospects and Domestic/International Competition

Currently, the whole world is heavily investing in fusion-related devices such as KSTAR and ITER.
China operates EAST and BEST devices, and the US, Japan, Italy, and the UK are also trying to lead the market with different projects.
In particular, strategies to minimize maintenance time through robotics and automation technologies
It also has a close impact on the country’s energy stability, fate, and security.
Our research institute will commemorate the 30th anniversary of KSTAR with a large-scale event in Daejeon to unveil technologies and showcase the latest technologies such as digital twin systems.

< Summary >
In the global economic outlook and energy innovation competition, the Korea Fusion Energy Institute's KSTAR tour and automated facilities are attracting attention.
Beyond the concept of smart factories, Tokamak design, vacuum vessel management, and efficient maintenance strategies through robotics are key.
By introducing the latest systems such as digital twin technology through domestic and international cooperation,
It shows the transformation of the future energy paradigm and the strengthening of competitiveness in the field of automation.

[Related Articles: Tokamak Core | Latest Automation Trends]

*YouTube Source: [안될과학 Unrealscience]

– 핵융합 발전의 핵심인 토카막! 토카막에 들어가는 소모품은 도대체 어떻게 교체를 할 수 있을까? 그 속에 숨겨진 최첨단 기술의 비밀! (한국핵융합에너지연구원 이도희 박사 2부)

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