From Jan 10 to 11, the 8th conference of Integration Design Group of Magnetic Confinement Fusion Reactor was held in Yichang, Hubei.

This conference is the first large-scale academic convention in the field of China fusion energy in 2013. More than 160 experts and researchers from USTC (University of Science and Technology of China), HUST (Huangzhong University of Science and Technology), ASIPP (Institute of Plasma Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences), SWIP (Southwestern Institute of Physics), CAEP (China Academy of Engineering Physics) and IIM (Institute of Intelligent Machines) participated in the convention and reported works by means of presentations, discussions and posters.

Figure.1:XIA Song addressed the meeting

Academician WAN Yuanxi, the Integration Design Group leader, presided at the meeting. XIA Song, dean of School of Scientific Development, HUST, addressed the meeting and expressed the confidence that great breakthrough in China fusion energy would be made through national support and experts' collaboration.

Figure.2:Experts gave presentations

Project directors gave presentations for CFETR (China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor) on the first day. Presentations covered five aspects for CFETR design progress and following plans, namely fusion reactor integration, reactor physics, technology and operation, reactor core and materials, deuterium-tritium circulation and radiation protection and safety research.

Participants took part in heated and detailed discussion on the second day concerning four special topics: reactor core and divertor optimization and RH design programs, steady operation mode and combustion time, tritium-related system and tritium self-sustaining, and CFETR RAMI analysis.

Figure 3:Academician WAN concluded the meeting

Academician WAN Yuanxi concluded the meeting by summarizing the reported achievements and recognizing progress in conceptual design of CFETR. Besides, he introduced foundation of “Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Fusion Energy and Plasma Science” which has been recruiting experts to support CFETR research.

Through this conference, a consensus has reached by experts on the preliminary design and operation parameters. In addtion, the key design parameters and coordinating schemes are further solidified. This conference plays an important role in promoting conceptual design of CFETR.