The Huanliu-3 nuclear fusion reactor, China’s new generation “artificial sun,” has begun a series of new experiments using a digital twin system.
Huanliu-3 (HL-3) has integrated a digital twin system for the first time, functioning as a “super eye” to conduct a series of new physical experiments, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) – the developer of Huanliu-3, as reported by Global Times on November 6.
HL-3 is a large scientific device used for magnetic confinement nuclear fusion, designed and manufactured independently in China. It is currently the largest and most advanced magnetic fusion reactor in the country, dubbed the “new generation artificial sun.”
The Huanliu-3 (HL-3) reactor, China’s new generation “artificial sun.” (Photo: CNNC).
An important aspect of HL-3’s operation is the heating of the vacuum chamber, with the digital twin system serving as a “super eye” during this process. This system creates a digital model in a virtual space that mirrors the physical entity, allowing for precise real-time monitoring of the heating process in the vacuum chamber.
The digital twin system focuses on the temperature distribution within the vacuum chamber and generates an accurate digital model. It collects data from heating elements and physical temperature tracking points, utilizing virtual sensor algorithms to produce a comprehensive temperature distribution diagram in real-time.
The application of the digital twin system marks significant progress in the core digital technology of the artificial sun, ensuring safe and stable operations and laying the groundwork for the development of a comprehensive intelligent control mechanism, according to CNNC.
This digital twin system has been developed by experts from the Southwest Institute of Physics (SWIP) in Chengdu, under CNNC. The team of specialists stated that they will continue to explore the potential of this technology through research on nuclear fusion, enhancing the capabilities of the artificial sun.
CNNC announced that HL-3 will be opened to the world starting December 2023, inviting international scientists to China to collaborate towards the common goal of pursuing artificial solar energy after SWIP signed an agreement with the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project team. Since then, HL-3 has become a crucial support tool for the construction and operation of ITER – the largest artificial sun project in the world.
For a long time, the scientific community has sought to harness energy from nuclear fusion – a process that occurs in the cores of stars. This is considered a vast and safe energy source. “Nuclear fusion not only does not emit greenhouse gases but also does not create long-lived nuclear waste. It is very compact, does not occupy much space, and can produce large amounts of useful industrial electricity,” explained Sam Davis, head of Japan’s JT-60SA reactor project.
