Korea to Build Core 'Tritium Fuel System' for ITER

Contract Signed with CES for Design and Manufacturing
Procurement Targeted for Completion by 2030

Korea is set to officially begin manufacturing the 'Tritium Storage and Supply System (SDS)', a core fuel system for nuclear fusion reactions at the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). With this key equipment for safely storing and supplying fusion fuel being built using domestic technology, Korea is expected to accelerate its acquisition of fuel cycle technologies necessary for the era of fusion demonstration and commercial reactors.

The Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) announced on May 14 that it has finalized a contract with CES as the system design, manufacturing, and supply partner for the SDS, which Korea is providing as part of its procurement for ITER construction.

ITER Tritium Storage and Supply System (SDS). Courtesy of the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy

The SDS (Storage and Delivery System) is a core system responsible for storing and supplying tritium and deuterium, which are the fusion reaction fuels for ITER, as well as managing fuel input and output and measuring inventory. In particular, as tritium is a radioactive hydrogen isotope, the system requires a high level of safety and precise control technology to handle it reliably.

This contract is a follow-up procedure to the SDS procurement arrangement that KFE signed with the ITER International Organization in March of last year, moving into the actual design and production phase. Among the ITER member countries, Korea is in charge of the final design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery of the SDS, allowing it to accumulate key technologies and plant engineering experience in the fusion fuel cycle sector.

KFE selected CES as the final supplier through an open bidding process and technical evaluation. The institute explained that it comprehensively assessed process design and manufacturing capabilities, quality management, and plant engineering experience, given the complexity of the equipment required to handle tritium.

Going forward, KFE plans to carry out the final design, manufacturing, and factory acceptance testing of the main SDS systems over approximately 60 months. The goal is to complete the final design approval by 2027 and finish procurement by 2030.

KFE expects that this project will not only fulfill Korea’s ITER procurement obligations, but also lead to the development of fuel storage and supply technologies for the future commercialization of fusion power and strengthen the domestic fusion industry ecosystem.

Jung Gijeong, Head of the ITER Korea Project Division, stated, "With this contract, Korea’s procurement of core fuel cycle systems for ITER has entered the full-scale implementation phase. We will do our utmost to meet ITER’s stringent safety and quality standards and secure fusion fuel cycle technology in cooperation with domestic industry partners."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.