Course in Cryogenics in Nuclear Fusion
Online 300 h course in cryogenics in nuclear fusion. 6 modules covering EN 13458 (static vacuum-insulated cryogenic vessels), Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment) and HEPAK. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Cryogenics in Nuclear Fusion — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand has no nuclear power generation, and its nuclear-related activity is limited to research, isotope applications and the regulation of imported radioactive materials. The country maintains a firm policy position against nuclear power under the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act 1987. Relevant professional roles mainly involve radiation protection, medical and industrial applications, and international safeguards cooperation, overseen by the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Health.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,470 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Does New Zealand have nuclear engineering registration or recognition?
New Zealand has no domestic nuclear power industry, and its nuclear-related activity is regulated mainly through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for the Environment under the Radiation Protection framework. Engineering New Zealand is the general professional body. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is for employers to decide.
Where could nuclear-related engineering skills be used in New Zealand?
Relevant work in New Zealand is limited and mostly found in research, radiation safety, medical physics, and the handling of radioactive materials in industry and health. Employers in these areas generally require specific accredited training and licensing. A private qualification alone is unlikely to satisfy those requirements.
Can I study this from New Zealand without relocating?
Yes. The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from New Zealand and no student visa is needed. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply low-temperature thermodynamics to cryogenic design.
Describe the cycles and equipment of a helium cryogenic plant.
Explain the refrigeration requirements of superconducting magnets.
Design distribution and thermal insulation systems.
Analyse the operation of cryopumps and fuel supply.
Identify safety risks associated with cryogenic fluids.
Develop a cryogenic system project for fusion.
Who it's for
- Cryogenic engineer who wants to specialise in Cryogenics in nuclear fusion.
- Superconducting magnet engineer who wants to specialise in Cryogenics in nuclear fusion.
- Helium plant engineer who wants to specialise in Cryogenics in nuclear fusion.
- Vacuum and cryogenics technician who wants to specialise in Cryogenics in nuclear fusion.
- Fusion process engineer who wants to specialise in Cryogenics in nuclear fusion.
- Cryogenic gas safety specialist who wants to specialise in Cryogenics in nuclear fusion.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to join international fusion projects.
What you'll work with
- EN 13458 (static vacuum-insulated cryogenic vessels)
- Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment)
- ISO 21013 (pressure relief accessories for cryogenic vessels)
- EN 13445 (unfired pressure vessels)
- IEC 61788 (superconductivity)
- ISO 21014 (insulation performance of cryogenic vessels)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Cryogenic temperature scale1.2Properties of helium-4 and helium-31.3Superfluid helium and the lambda point1.4Hydrogen and its liquid isotopes1.5Specific heat of materials at 4 K1.6Thermal conductivity at low temperature1.7Differential thermal contraction1.8Cryogenic refrigeration cycles1.9Carnot efficiency and actual power1.10Workshop: calculation of thermal load at 4.5 K
2.1Claude and Collins cycles2.2Expansion turbines2.3Helium compressors2.4Plate heat exchangers2.5Joule-Thomson valves2.6ITER cryogenic plant2.7Helium storage and recovery2.8Cryogenic plant control2.9Reliability and availability2.10Practice: simulation of a Claude cycle
3.1NbTi and Nb3Sn superconductors3.2High-temperature REBCO superconductors3.3Cable-in-conduit conductors (CICC)3.4Toroidal and poloidal field coils3.5Central solenoid3.6Quench: detection and protection3.7Temperature margins3.8AC losses and nuclear heating3.920 T SPARC magnet3.10Case study: quench protection in ITER
4.1Cryostat and insulation vacuum4.280 K thermal shields4.3Multilayer insulation (MLI)4.4Cryogenic transfer lines4.5Cold distribution box4.6Low-conduction thermal supports4.7Temperature measurement with Cernox sensors4.8Flow and level measurement4.9Leaks and helium leak detection4.10Laboratory: thermal balance of an 80 K shield
5.1Cryosorption pumping with activated carbon5.2Cryopump regeneration5.3Divertor pumping5.4Frozen pellet injection5.5Deuterium pellet production5.6Tritium management in cryopumps5.7Safety with helium and cold gases5.8Asphyxiation by oxygen displacement5.9EN 13458 standard for cryogenic vessels5.10Case study: ITER torus cryopump system
6.1Thermal requirements of the machine6.2Load balance by levels6.3Plant sizing6.4Distribution design6.5Quench protection6.6Instrumentation and control6.7Safety analysis6.8Cost and consumption estimation6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is HEPAK, Aspen HYSYS, EES (Engineering Equation Solver), ANSYS Mechanical, REFPROP, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for cooldown tests of superconducting magnets, thermal load measurement in cryostats and cryopump tests. Assessment is continuous, per module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Apply low-temperature thermodynamics to cryogenic design.
Describe the cycles and equipment of a helium cryogenic plant.
Explain the refrigeration requirements of superconducting magnets.
Design distribution and thermal insulation systems.
Analyse the operation of cryopumps and fuel supply.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- A level of Spanish sufficient to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with HEPAK, Aspen HYSYS, EES (Engineering Equation Solver), ANSYS Mechanical, REFPROP. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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