{"id":3353,"date":"2025-08-19T15:48:45","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T06:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kyotofusioneering.com\/kfwp\/?post_type=news&p=3353"},"modified":"2026-04-13T23:03:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:03:56","slug":"the-fusion-era-fusion-101-the-vst-explained-unlocking-tritium-extraction","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/kyotofusioneering.com\/en\/news\/2025\/08\/19\/3353","title":{"rendered":"THE FUSION ERA \u2013 Fusion 101 \/ The VST Explained: Unlocking Tritium Extraction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In last month\u2019s Fusion 101 Series<\/em>, we explored the role of liquid metals in our cutting-edge integrated test facility, UNITY-1, and briefly introduced one of its unique components\u2014the Vacuum Sieve Tray, or VST. This device plays a crucial role in extracting tritium, a key fuel for fusion energy, from liquid lithium-lead (LiPb) under simulated fusion conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you missed that post, you can catch up [here<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this ninth edition of Fusion 101<\/em>, we\u2019re taking you inside the VST\u2014explaining how it works, why it matters, and the role it could play in making fusion energy a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: For testing at UNITY-1, hydrogen is used instead of tritium.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Vacuum Sieve Tray Works<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with a quick look at this video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Efforts in Tritium Recovery<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At Kyoto Fusioneering, we\u2019re working at the forefront of hydrogen isotope recovery technology\u2014developing and testing our Vacuum Sieve Tray (VST) to help unlock the future of energy. We began with small-scale experiments using water instead of molten metal to study and fine-tune two critical factors\u2014droplet size and flow rate\u2014both essential for maximizing tritium extraction from lithium-lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Water droplet test using a prototype tray<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building on these results, we manufactured the VST and installed it in UNITY-1. Here, we\u2019re running integrated testing that replicates real-world operating conditions. The setup includes heaters to keep the lithium-lead at the right temperature, sensors to detect hydrogen levels, flow meters, and circulation piping\u2014all working in sync to test the full system under real operating conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
lithium-lead droplet formation during VST test run<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once we\u2019ve collected enough performance data, the next step will be full tritium trials. These will take place not at UNITY-1, but at UNITY-2\u2014a new facility under development in Canada by Fusion Fuel Cycles Inc<\/em><\/a>, our joint venture with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNITY-2 is designed to demonstrate a complete fusion fuel cycle system, continuously supplying tritium and deuterium to a reactor core. In this setup, the VST will extract tritium from lithium-lead and safely deliver it to the core via dedicated storage and pumping systems\u2014distinct from those in UNITY-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Diagram of UNITY-2. Tritium extraction using the VST takes place in the section labeled \u201cTritium Extraction.\u201d<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Developing a stable, sustainable supply of tritium is essential to making fusion power a reality\u2014and that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re working toward. We\u2019ll keep sharing our progress on the VST and other innovations right here on the blog, so stay tuned!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*If you\u2019d like to learn more about the VST in detail, check out this poster<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subscribe to Our Newsletter<\/a> (LinkedIn)
Follow Us on X<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3354,"template":"","news_category":[22,10],"news_year":[26],"class_list":["post-3353","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news_category-technology","news_category-blog","news_year-26","en-US"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTHE FUSION ERA \u2013 Fusion 101 \/ The VST Explained: Unlocking Tritium Extraction | NEWS | KYOTO FUSIONEERING<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In last month\u2019s Fusion 101 Series, we explored the role of liquid metals in our cutting-edge integrated test facility, UNITY-1, and briefly introduced one\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/kyotofusioneering.com\/en\/news\/2025\/08\/19\/3353\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta 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