China Leads First ISO Standard for Fusion Fueling Technology
China's self-developed ultrasonic molecular beam fueling technology has been officially released as an international ISO standard. This marks the first such standard in the field of fusion energy fueling.
China has achieved a significant milestone in fusion energy development with the official release of the international standard ISO 19991:2026, based on its domestically developed ultrasonic molecular beam fueling technology. This standard, led by China, represents the first international standard specifically for fusion fueling technology.
The ultrasonic molecular beam fueling technology is a critical component for supplying fuel to controlled nuclear fusion devices. This original Chinese technology utilizes the adiabatic expansion of gas to create high-speed, directional molecular beams. Its advantages include rapid speed, strong directionality, high fueling efficiency, and low particle recycling, which significantly enhances the fuel control capabilities of fusion devices.
This technology has already been implemented in over a dozen magnetic confinement fusion experimental devices both within China and internationally. The standard received broad support, with 12 countries, including France, Germany, and Russia, voting in favor during the final ballot.
The standard outlines the methods and fundamental requirements for ultrasonic molecular beam fueling technology in magnetic confinement fusion devices. It covers the composition of system components, key characteristics, and inspection methods, providing a unified technical basis for design, experimentation, acceptance, and application.
The release of this international standard signifies a crucial step for China's original technology, moving from research and device application to international regulation. This is the second ISO standard in the fusion field to be led by the Southwest Institute of Physics (SWIP) under the China National Nuclear Corporation. Previously, in 2023, ISO 4233:2023 was released, addressing hot helium leak detection methods for high-temperature pressure components in fusion reactors.