The Oxfordshire facility is an important step to bringing the game-changing benefits of zero-carbon fusion energy to the world.
The firm said it using extensive experience and manufacturing capabilities in nuclear power to develop a specification and method of manufacture for the forged, thick-walled pressure vessel body, a key component in the proposed Fusion Demonstration Plant.
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and General Fusion announced an agreement last week under which General Fusion will build and operate its Fusion Demonstration Plant (FDP) at UKAEA’s Culham Campus.
General Fusion will enter into a long-term lease with UKAEA following construction of a new facility at Culham, the UK hub for fusion research to host the FDP.
The FDP will demonstrate General Fusion’s proprietary Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) technology, paving the way for the company’s subsequent commercial pilot plant. General Fusion will benefit from the cluster of fusion supply chain activities in the UK, centered on UKAEA’s globally recognized expertise and presence in the field.
Jesus Talamantes-Silva, research, design and technology director at Sheffield Forgemasters said: “Fusion is an exciting technology, which could become a key deliverable for the world’s future green energy provision.”
“Our initial remit includes evaluation of potential steel grades, modelling of forging and heat treatment processes, and their effects on microstructure and properties.”
“The scale and manufacturing complexity of the vessel requires a flexible and responsive approach to the work.”
Sheffield Forgemasters is establishing practical manufacturing solutions for all aspects of manufacture for the vessel, including steelmaking and forging, heat treatment, mechanical and non-destructive testing, machining and metrology.
This work utilises Sheffield Forgemasters’ extensive knowledge and experience relating to the manufacture of pressure vessels and other critical components for nuclear sectors. It also relies on Sheffield Forgemasters’ strengths at developing novel and creative solutions to complex manufacturing challenges.
