Kyoto Fusioneering Collaborates with Leading Vacuum Pump Manufacturer MIKUNI JUKOGYO to Co-Develop Advanced Fuel Exhaust Vacuum Pumps

– New Durable, Compact Design Tailored for Experimental and Commercial Fusion Plants –

Kyoto Fusioneering (KF) announces its partnership with MIKUNI JUKOGYO CO., LTD. (MIKUNI), a prominent manufacturer specializing in compressors and vacuum pumps, to co-develop cutting-edge vacuum pumps crucial for fuel exhaust in fusion energy power plants.

Breakthrough Collaboration Optimizes Vacuum Pump Design for Fusion Energy
The Fuel Cycle System, encompassing technologies to exhaust, separate, and circulate hydrogen isotopes such as tritium gas from the core, relies heavily on the vacuum pump for the safe and stable exhaustion of deuterium and tritium.
The collaboration with MIKUNI, a leading Japanese vacuum pump manufacturer has resulted in the joint development of a vacuum pump specifically tailored for fusion energy. This partnership leverages MIKUNI’s specialized expertise in vacuum pump development and KF’s fusion energy know-how, dedicated to research and development of the Fuel Cycle System.

KF’s Unique Position in the Global Fusion Energy Ecosystem
KF holds a unique position in the fusion energy industry, focusing on the overall design of fusion energy plants and the development of related equipment and systems. Our commitment extends to the Gyrotron system, heating the core to ultra-high temperatures to initiate fusion reactions, the Thermal Cycle System extracting heat from the fusion reaction’s energy for electricity conversion, and the Fuel Cycle System ensuring a stable and safe fuel supply to the core plasma. As a global pioneer in fusion solutions, KF is dedicated to being the partner of choice in advancing fusion technology for the early realization and industrialization of fusion energy.

Innovative Vacuum Pump Ensures Optimal Fusion Reaction Condition
At the core of fusion energy lies various fusion reactions, with the prominent example being the fusion reaction between deuterium and tritium. The entire process of fusion energy generation involves extracting heat from this energy, recovering gases or liquid metals, and utilizing the generated heat to rotate turbines for power generation. Maintaining a continuous and efficient occurrence of fusion reactions in the core is a prerequisite for success, and achieving this relies significantly on the “diverter” and the “vacuum pump”.
Our jointly developed vacuum pump, not only ensures stable exhaustion of mixed gases—comprising tritium, deuterium, helium, and more—but also plays a crucial role in creating and maintaining conditions conducive to fusion reactions within the core. As fusion reactions progress, generating fuel particles and helium, the vacuum pump’s high durability against the radioactive substance tritium and its excellent exhaust performance for various target gases become paramount.

Technical Characteristics of Co-developed Pump

• High Durability in Tritium Environment: As with previous models, the pump exhibits exceptional durability. Moreover, it demonstrates resilience even when exposed to tritium by minimizing the use of organic materials and adopting oil-free components.
  
• High Exhaust Performance for Light Elements: Demonstrating high exhaust performance with air and nitrogen, the pump equally excels with light elements such as hydrogen, deuterium, tritium, and helium, which typically show lower performance in conventional pumps.
  
• Compact Sizes: Anticipating future demand in commercial plants, the compact sizes allow for flexible installations based on varied performance requirements and installation locations. Considering that many experimental reactors currently under development globally are smaller than commercial reactors, and the associated equipment needs to be downsized, there is a significant expected demand in the near-term market for smaller vacuum pumps.

About MIKUNI JUKOGYO CO., LTD.
MIKUNI JUKOGYO CO., LTD. is a dedicated manufacturer of compressors and vacuum pumps, specializing in the pressurization, conveying, suction, and other processes of gases (air, gas) across almost all industries, both domestically and internationally, including oil plants, chemicals, power generation, steel, textiles, food, pharmaceuticals, electronics, paper, gas, and nuclear industries.
Our machines, crafted with the spirit of craftsmanship cultivated over more than 130 years since our founding in 1894 as a reciprocating compressor manufacturer, have played a crucial role in fulfilling their functions and contributing to the development of various industries. With a commitment to meeting the expectations and trust of our customers, we focus on the thorough integration of knowledge, skills, technology, and meticulous attention in the manufacturing and shipping processes.

<Company Overview>
Company Name: MIKUNI JUKOGYO CO., LTD.
Establishment: October 1, 1934 (Founded in 1894)
Business Activities: Research, technical development, manufacturing, and sales of air and gas compressors and vacuum pumps
Representative: President and CEO, Eisuke Sagami
Number of Employees: 60 (Group Total: 280)
Locations:
3-20-13 Mikunihonmachi, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka City (Headquarters)
7070 Kuniki Pass, Oaza Daido, Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (Yamaguchi Plant)
Website: https://www.mikuni-group.co.jp/index.html

About Kyoto Fusioneering Ltd.
Kyoto Fusioneering is a privately funded technology start-up founded in 2019 in Kyoto, with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Building upon decades of research at Kyoto University, the company is focused on developing advanced technologies for commercial fusion reactors, including gyrotron systems, tritium fuel cycle technologies, and breeding blankets for tritium production and power generation. Kyoto Fusioneering is developing innovative solutions that are simultaneously high-performance and commercially viable. Supporting both public and private fusion developers around the world, the company is accelerating the realization of fusion as the ultimate energy source for humankind.

Explore more about KF’s vision for the future of energy at www.kyotofusioneering.com/en/ or by contacting media@kyotofusioneering.com.