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Master'sNuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies Applications open

Master’s in Tritium, Vacuum, Cryogenics and Superconductors Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in tritium, vacuum, cryogenics and superconductor engineering, structured in 12 modules covering critical fusion auxiliary systems, tritium chemistry and physics, the tritium fuel cycle, vacuum technology, fusion vacuum systems, cryogenics, superconductivity, superconducting magnets, safety and integration, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the chemistry and physics of tritium.

02

Design the tritium fuel cycle.

03

Size vacuum systems for fusion devices.

04

Design cryogenic cycles and plants.

05

Select superconductors and design their protection.

06

Analyse the safety of tritium and cryogenic systems.

07

Integrate auxiliary systems into a fusion plant.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Tritium engineers.
  • Vacuum engineers.
  • Cryogenic engineers.
  • Superconducting magnet engineers.
  • Facility safety analysts.
  • Fusion process engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the fusion energy sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 61788 (superconductivity measurements)
  • ISO 21009 (cryogenic vessels: static vacuum-insulated)
  • EN 13458 (cryogenic vessels)
  • ISO 3529 (vacuum technology vocabulary)
  • IAEA SSG-91 (safety of fusion facilities)
  • EN 1779 (leak detection: criteria for method and technique selection)
  • Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment)
  • Molflow+
  • COMSOL Multiphysics
  • Aspen HYSYS
  • Python
  • EcosimPro
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Overview: tritium, vacuum, cryogenics and magnets
  2. 1.2Interdependencies between systems
  3. 1.3Requirements derived from the plasma
  4. 1.4ITER scale versus DEMO
  5. 1.5Industrial suppliers
  6. 1.6Applicable regulations
  7. 1.7Facility safety
  8. 1.8Life-cycle management
  9. 1.9Training of specialists
  10. 1.10Case study: interface diagram of auxiliary systems
  1. 2.1Properties of tritium
  2. 2.2Beta decay and radiotoxicity
  3. 2.3Hydrogen isotopes and their separation
  4. 2.4Tritium chemistry in water and metals
  5. 2.5Diffusion and permeation
  6. 2.6Retention in materials
  7. 2.7Tritium measurement
  8. 2.8Tritium dosimetry
  9. 2.9Release limits
  10. 2.10Lab: calculation of permeation through a wall
  1. 3.1Architecture of the inner and outer cycle
  2. 3.2Pumping and exhaust gas processing
  3. 3.3Cryogenic isotope separation
  4. 3.4Storage in hydride beds
  5. 3.5Water and air detritiation
  6. 3.6Tritium accountancy
  7. 3.7Inventory and doubling time
  8. 3.8Reference facilities: JET and TLK
  9. 3.9Inventory optimisation
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: tritium inventory model in Python
  1. 4.1Flow regimes
  2. 4.2Conductance and pumping speed
  3. 4.3Mechanical, turbomolecular and cryogenic pumps
  4. 4.4Tritium-compatible pumps
  5. 4.5Outgassing and bake-out
  6. 4.6Vacuum measurement
  7. 4.7Helium leak detection
  8. 4.8Materials for ultra-high vacuum
  9. 4.9Design standards for vacuum systems
  10. 4.10Lab: pump-down time calculation with Molflow
  1. 5.1Tokamak vacuum vessel
  2. 5.2Cryostat vacuum
  3. 5.3Neutral beam injector vacuum
  4. 5.4ITER cryopumps
  5. 5.5Metal diffusion pumps
  6. 5.6Cryopump regeneration
  7. 5.7Vacuum safety with tritium
  8. 5.8Integrity and leaks
  9. 5.9Commissioning
  10. 5.10Case study: sizing the pumping system of a tokamak
  1. 6.1Low-temperature thermodynamics
  2. 6.2Properties of helium and hydrogen
  3. 6.3Claude and Brayton refrigeration cycles
  4. 6.4Large-scale cryogenic plants
  5. 6.5Distribution and transfer lines
  6. 6.6Multilayer insulation
  7. 6.7Pulsed heat loads
  8. 6.8Cryogenic instrumentation
  9. 6.9Cryogenic safety
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: design of a helium Brayton cycle
  1. 7.1BCS theory and types of superconductors
  2. 7.2Critical current and its dependencies
  3. 7.3NbTi and Nb3Sn
  4. 7.4REBCO and Bi-2212
  5. 7.5Manufacture of wires and tapes
  6. 7.6CICC cables
  7. 7.7AC losses
  8. 7.8Strain-induced degradation
  9. 7.9Conductor characterisation
  10. 7.10Lab: fitting a critical current parameterisation
  1. 8.1Electromagnetic design
  2. 8.2Stability and quench
  3. 8.3Quench detection
  4. 8.4Magnet protection
  5. 8.5Magnet mechanics
  6. 8.6Electrical insulation
  7. 8.7High-field HTS magnets
  8. 8.8Magnet testing
  9. 8.9Lessons from large magnets
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: quench simulation in COMSOL
  1. 9.1Tritium safety
  2. 9.2Confinement and barriers
  3. 9.3Emergency detritiation
  4. 9.4Cryogenic safety: ODH
  5. 9.5Energy stored in magnets
  6. 9.6Vacuum accidents
  7. 9.7Licensing of tritium facilities
  8. 9.8Management of tritiated waste
  9. 9.9Radiation protection
  10. 9.10Workshop: ODH analysis of a cryogenics room
  1. 10.1System commissioning
  2. 10.2Control and supervision
  3. 10.3Maintenance
  4. 10.4Availability
  5. 10.5Reliability of critical components
  6. 10.6Spare parts management
  7. 10.7Operating experience from JET and W7-X
  8. 10.8Integration in DEMO
  9. 10.9Cost optimisation
  10. 10.10Case study: availability analysis of a cryogenic plant
  1. 11.1The superconductor industry
  2. 11.2The cryogenics industry
  3. 11.3The vacuum industry
  4. 11.4Tritium supply chain
  5. 11.5Production of enriched lithium
  6. 11.6Fusion and HTS start-ups
  7. 11.7Transfer to other applications
  8. 11.8Research trends
  9. 11.9Training and employment
  10. 11.10Practical exercise: market study of HTS tapes
  1. 12.1Definition of the system
  2. 12.2Requirements and state of the art
  3. 12.3Conceptual design
  4. 12.4Sizing calculations
  5. 12.5Behaviour simulation
  6. 12.6Safety analysis
  7. 12.7Integration assessment
  8. 12.8Conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis: written report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme can be combined with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Molflow+, COMSOL Multiphysics, Aspen HYSYS, Python and EcosimPro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for vacuum system calculations, helium cryogenic cycle design and quench simulation in superconducting magnets. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IEC 61788, ISO 21009, EN 13458 (cryogenic vessels), ISO 3529 (vacuum vocabulary), IAEA SSG-91, EN 1779 (leak detection), Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 61788, ISO 21009 and EN 13458 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Molflow+, COMSOL Multiphysics, Aspen HYSYS, Python and EcosimPro, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:The conceptual design of a tritium, vacuum, cryogenic or magnet system, from requirements and sizing calculations to behaviour simulation, safety analysis and integration assessment, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Define the system
Select the auxiliary system and establish its requirements and the state of the art.
Develop the conceptual design
Propose the architecture of the tritium, vacuum, cryogenic or magnet system.
Size the system
Perform sizing calculations with Molflow+, Aspen HYSYS or Python models.
Simulate and assess safety
Simulate the system behaviour, for example a quench in COMSOL, and analyse safety and ODH risks.
Master's Thesis
Assess integration into the fusion plant and present the complete design, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Tritium engineerVacuum engineerCryogenic engineerSuperconducting magnet engineerFacility safety analystFusion process engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Molflow+, COMSOL Multiphysics, Aspen HYSYS, Python and EcosimPro, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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