Progress of ITER vacuum vessel

Design modifications were implemented in the vacuum vessel (VV) baseline design in 2011–2012 for finalization. The modifications are mostly due to interface components, such as support rails and feedthroughs for the in-vessel coils (IVC). Manufacturing designs are being developed at the domestic agencies (DAs) based on the baseline design. The VV support design was also finalized and tests on scale mock-ups are under preparation. Design of the in-wall shielding (IWS) has progressed, considering the assembly methods and the required tolerances. Further modifications are required to be consistent with the DAs’ manufacturing designs. Dynamic tests on the inter-modular and stub keys to support the blanket modules are being performed to measure the dynamic amplification factor (DAF). An in-service inspection (ISI) plan has been developed and R&D was launched for ISI. Conceptual design of the VV instrumentation has been developed. The VV baseline design was approved by the agreed notified body (ANB) in accordance with the French Nuclear Pressure Equipment Order procedure.     

Design finalization and start of construction of ITER vacuum vessel

The vacuum vessel (VV) design is being finalized including interface components, such as the support rails and feedthroughs of coils for mitigation of edge localized modes (ELM) and vertical stabilization (VS) of the plasma (ELM/VS coils). It was necessary to make adjustments in the locations of the blanket supports and manifolds to accommodate the design modifications in the ELM/VS coils. The lower port gussets were reinforced to keep a sufficient margin under the increased VV load conditions. The VV support design is being finalized as well, with an emphasis on structure simplification. The design of the in-wall shielding (IWS) has progressed, considering assembly and required tolerances. The layout of ferritic steel plates and borated steel plates will be optimized based on on-going toroidal field ripple analysis. The VV instrumentation was defined in detail. Strain gauges, thermocouples, displacement meters and accelerometers shall be installed to monitor the status of the VV in normal and off-normal conditions to confirm all safety functions are performed correctly. The ITER VV design was preliminarily approved, and the VV materials including 316L(N) IG were already qualified by the Agreed Notified Body (ANB) according to the procedure of Nuclear Pressure Equipment Order.     

Design and Structural Analysis of Support Structure for ITER Vacuum Vessel

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) vacuum vessel (VV) is a safety component confining radioactive materials such as tritium and activated dust. An independent VV support structure with multiple flexible plates located at the bottom of VV lower port is proposed as a new concept, which is deferent from the current design, i.e., the VV support is directly connected to the toroidal coils (TF coils). This independent concept has two advantages comparing to the current one: (1) thermal load due to the temperature deference between VV and TF coils becomes lower and (2) the TF coils are categorized as non-safety components because of its independence from VV. Stress Analyses have been performed to assess the integrity of the VV support structure using a precisely modeled VV structure. As a result, (1) the maximum displacement of the VV corresponding to the relative displacement between VV and TF coils is found to be 15 mm, much less than the current design clearance of 100 mm, and (2) the stresses of the whole VV system including VV support are estimated to be less than the allowable ones defined by ASME Section III Subsection NF, respectively. Based on these assessments, the feasibility of the proposed independent VV support has been verified as a VV support.     

Stress and Thermal Analysis of the In-Vessel RMP Coils in HL-2M

A set of in-vessel resonant magnetic perturbation(RMP) coils for MHD instability suppression is proposed for the design of a HL-2M tokamak.Each coil is to be fed with a current of up to 5 kA,operated in a frequency range from DC to about 1 kHz.Stainless steel(SS) jacketed mineral insulated cables are proposed for the conductor of the coils.In-vessel coils must withstand large electromagnetic(EM) and thermal loads.The support,insulation and vacuum sealing in a very limited space are crucial issues for engineering design.Hence finite element calculations are performed to verify the design,optimize the support by minimizing stress caused by EM forces on the coil conductors and work out the temperature rise occurring on the coil in diferent working conditions,the corresponding thermal stress caused by the thermal expansion of materials is evaluated to be allowable.The techniques to develop the in-vessel RMP coils,such as support,insulation and cooling,are discussed.     

Design progress of the ITER vacuum vessel and ports

Recent progress of the ITER vacuum vessel (VV) design is presented. As construction approaches, the VV design has been improved, simplified and developed in more detail. The VV support system has been improved, and the design of the VV shells and the blanket supports has been simplified. The VV design simplifications have been driven by manufacturing requirements and recommendations resulting from cooperation with industry. To simplify the manufacture/maintenance of the port structures, a single wall concept is used for some ports. Structural analyses have been performed to validate all design modifications.     

Design and technical status of the EU contribution to ITER

Europe is involved in the procurement of most of the high-technology items for the ITER device (e.g. parts of the superconducting Toroidal (TF) and Poloidal Field (PF) coils, the vacuum vessel (VV), the in-vessel components, the remote handling, the additional heating systems, the tritium plant and cryoplant and finally parts of the diagnostics). In many cases the technologies required to manufacture these components are well established, in others there is still ongoing design and R&D work to select and optimise the final design solutions and to consolidate the underlying technologies as, for example, in the areas of heating and current drive, plasma diagnostics, shield blanket and first wall, remote handling, etc. A design review has recently been conducted by the ITER Organisation, with the support of the Domestic Agencies (DAs) established by the countries participating to ITER, to address the remaining outstanding technical issues and understand the associated implications for design, machine performance, schedule and cost.This paper provides an update of the design and technical status of EU contributions to ITER.     

ITER vacuum vessel: Design review and start of procurement process

The ITER vacuum vessel (VV) is one of the most critical components in the ITER project. It is on the critical path in the construction schedule and it is also a safety important class component (SIC), providing the first confinement barrier.As a result of reviews and the latest physics analyses, design requirements have been updated (e.g. ELM/VS coils) and a few design changes have to be implemented. This paper covers the updates of the VV vertical and horizontal EM load conditions during asymmetric VDEs, the design analysis of the ELM/VS coils and their interfaces to the VV, the blanket manifold design and the preparation of the technical specification in preparation for the procurement arrangement to be signed.     

Structural Design Study for ITER Upper ELM Coils

ITER ELM coils are important parts of in-vessel coils and they are mounted on the vacuum vessel and behind the blanket module. They consist of three sets of coils, referred to as the upper, mid, and lower coils. In order to verify the structural design feasibility and find the better structure for upper edge localized modes (ELM) coil, two different variants of coil support structures are studied under the electromagnetic load, thermal and other loads. Results show that besides the bracket of variant 2 does not meet the fatigue criteria, the conductor, jacket and bracket of the two structures can meet the static, fatigue and crack threshold criteria and both of them are valid and feasible. In addition, the better structure is chosen for upper ELM coil.     

HELIAS 5-B magnet system structure and maintenance concept

Work has been continued on the design study of a 5-fold symmetric HELIAS reactor with increased field. The coil shapes were slightly changed from the straightforwardly upscaled W7-X coils to a better suited reactor configuration providing improved plasma confinement and more space for the blanket. This reactor version is now called “HELIAS 5-B”. The previously presented building block structure was adapted to the new shapes and forces, and was further optimized for better load distribution and reduced number of joints. Simplified panels with only one or two plates each are now used.In addition to the previously presented option to separate the whole torus for good access to the in-vessel components, a blanket maintenance concept based on exchange of 400 large blanket segments simultaneously through five vertical ports was devised. Even though this concept is still at an initial state it can be shown that also in a complex stellarator geometry it is possible to have robots running on rails inside the plasma vessel to transport heavy loads.     

Neutronic design analyses for a dual-coolant blanket concept: Optimization for a fusion reactor DEMO

The generation of design specifications for a DEMO reactor, including breeding blanket (BB), vacuum vessel (VV) and magnetic field coils (MFC), requires a consistent neutronic optimization of structures between plasma and MFC. This work targets iteratively to generate these neutronic specifications for a Dual-Coolant He/Pb15.7Li breeding blanket design. The iteration process focuses on the optimization of allowable space between plasma scrapped-off-layer and VV in order to generate a MFC/VV/BB/plasma sustainable configuration with minimum global system volumes. Two VV designs have been considered: (1) a double-walled option with light-weight stiffeners and (2) a thick massive one. The optimization process also involves VV materials, looking to warrant radiation impact operational limits on the MFC. The resulting nuclear responses: peak nuclear heating in toroidal field (TF) coil, tritium breeding ratio (TBR), power amplification factor and helium production in the structural material are provided.     

The design of the ITER first wall panels

The ITER blanket is in the final stage of design completion. The issues raised during the 2007 ITER design review about the first wall (FW) heat loads and remote handling strategy have been addressed, while integrating the recently confirmed in-vessel coils. This paper focuses on the FW design, which is nearing completion. Key design justifications are presented, followed by a summary of the current status of the manufacturing plan and R&D activities.     

Development of TSACO and application to Chinese HCCB TBM cooling system

In this study, a thermal-hydraulic and safety analysis code (TSACO) for helium cooling system has been developed using Fortran 90 language, and the simulation has been performed for the cooling system of the Chinese helium cooled ceramic breeder test blanket module (CH HCCB TBM). The semi-implicit finite difference technique was adopted for the solution of the dynamic behavior of helium cooling system. Furthermore, a detailed illustration of the numerical solution for heat structures and critical model was presented. The code was verified by the comparison of RELAP5 code with the same initial condition, boundary condition, heat transfer and flow friction models. The TBM inlet/outlet temperatures and pressure drop were obtained and the results simulated by TSACO were shown in good agreement with those by RELAP5. Thereafter, the design basis accident in-vessel loss of coolant accident (LOCA), was investigated for the CH HCCB TBM cooling system. The critical flow model was also verified by comparing with RELAP5 code. The results indicated that the TBM can be cooled down effectively. The vacuum vessel (VV) pressure and the mass of helium spilled into the VV maintained below the design limits with a large margin.     

Status of ITER TBM port plug conceptual design and analyses

The test blanket module port plug (TBM PP) consists of a TBM frame and two TBM-sets. However, at any time of the ITER operation, a TBM set can be replaced by a dummy TBM. The frame provides a standardized interface with the vacuum vessel (VV)/port structure and provides thermal isolation from the shield blanket. As one of the plasma-facing components, it shall withstand heat loads while at the same time provide adequate neutron shielding for the VV and magnet coils. The frame design shall provide a stable engineering solution to hold TBM-sets and also provide a mean for rapid remote handling replacement and refurbishment. This paper presents main design features of the conceptual design of TBM PP with two dummy TBMs. Also analysis results are summarized to evaluate shielding, hydraulic, and thermal and structural performances of the TBM PP design.     

Preliminary Calculation of Electromagnetic Loads on Vacuum Vessel of HL-2M

For a robust design of vacuum vessel of HL-2M, the electromagnetic (EM) loads have to be understood clearly. In this paper, some crucial transient events, such as plasma major disruptions (MDs), vertical displacement events (VDEs), fast discharge of toroidal field (TF) coils, have been investigated to evaluate the eddy currents and EM forces on vacuum vessel and in-vessel components. The results show that the eddy currents depend strongly on the current decay time, and the maximum toroidal eddy current flowing in the whole vessel can reach up to 2.4 MA during MDs that is close to the plasma current. Large symmetric radial forces and a net vertical force on vessel shells could be caused by these transient events. Combination of eddy currents in in-vessel components and toroidal field could twist the copper plates and other internal parts, however, if these plates are supported and connected carefully, the twist moments will not have a big e®ect on the vessel shells and vessel support.     

Structural analysis of ITER TBM Frame and Dummy TBM

One of the main engineering performance goals of ITER is to test and validate design concepts of tritium breeding blankets. To accomplish these goals, three ITER equatorial ports are dedicated to the test of Test Blanket Modules (TBMs) that are mock-ups of tritium breeding blankets. These TBMs, associated with appropriate shield blocks, will also provide the same thermal and nuclear shielding as the main blanket. The main function of TBM Port Plug (PP) is to accommodate TBMs and provide a standardized interface with the vacuum vessel (VV)/port structure.The feasibility of the design concept of the Frame including two Dummy TBMs has been investigated by proposing design improvements of the reference design through an extensive set of thermal, electromagnetic (EM) and stress analyses. As well, the related static strength was evaluated in accordance with the structural design criteria for ITER in-vessel components (SDC-IC). This paper outlines the engineering aspects of the ITER TBM Frame and Dummy TBM and focuses on the feasibility of the present design by structural assessment.     

EAST in-vessel components design

Divertor and other in-vessel components are very important parts of EAST superconducting Tokamak. The primary purpose of these components is to protect the vacuum vessel, RF system and diagnostic components from plasma particles and heat loads. Other function of in-vessel components is additional to particles and heat loads handling. The divertor is designed to provide particles exhaust into the divertor cryopump, provide recycling control and impurity control. Passive plates stabilize plasma vertical instability. In-vessel coils are used for plasma instability control, error field correct, RWM and ELMs suppress. Heat loads and electric–magnetic forces are quite complicate for in-vessel components. To make the design of in-vessel components, we consider their proper geometry, structure strength, electro–magnetic characteristic, thermal conductive characteristic, particles exhaust characteristic and so on.     

Design optimisation of the ITER divertor magnetic probes using FEM analyses

This paper is focused on the design, simulation and optimisation of the ITER divertor magnetic tangential coils. The most critical issue for the divertor coils is to minimise RITES [G. Vayakis, et al., Radiation-induced thermoelectric sensitivity (RITES) in ITER prototype magnetic sensors, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 75 (10) (2004) 4324-4327] and TIEMF [R. Vila, E.R. Hodson, Thermally induced EMF in unirradiated MI cables, J. Nucl. Mater. 367-370 (Part 2) (2007) 1044-1047] by combining a proper choice of conductor with low temperature variation in the coil. Instead of mineral insulated cable (MIC), which was foreseen as the preferred winding, a winding made of ceramic-coated steel wire was recently proposed [G. Chitarin, L. Grando, S. Peruzzo, C. Tacconet, Design developments for the ITER in-vessel equilibrium Halo current sensors, 24th SOFT Conference, Warsaw, Poland, September 2006, Fusion Eng. Design, in press]. It is thought that, for this wire, maintaining a temperature variation in the wiring below 10 K will be sufficient to allow long-pulse operation. Variations of the divertor coil design have been simulated with the help of ANSYS. The aim was to keep the temperature variation in the winding pack within this limit. The optimisation of the coil based only on a cooling by conduction was not sufficient to meet the 10 K target. Therefore, an actively water-cooled coil was designed which finally met these requirements.     

Proposal of Integrated Test Facility for in-Vessel Thermofluid Safety of Fusion Reactors

A vacuum vessel (VV) of a tokamak fusion reactor like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) consists the first confinement barrier that includes the largest amount of radioactive materials such as tritium and activation products. The ingress of coolant event (ICE) is a design basis event in the ITER where water is used as the coolant. The loss of vacuum event (LOVA) is also considered as an independent design basis event. Based on the results of ICE and LOVA preliminary experiments, an integrated in-vessel thermofluid test is being planned and conceptual design of the facility is in progress. The main objectives of the integrated test are to investigate the consequences of possible interaction of the ICE and the LOVA and to validate the analytical model of thermofluid events in the VV of the fusion reactor. This paper introduces a conceptual design of the integrated test facility and a testing plan.     

Structural analysis and optimization for ITER upper ELM coil

ITER ELM coils are used to mitigate or suppress Edge Localized Modes (ELM), which are located between the vacuum vessel (VV) and shielding blanket modules and subject to high radiation levels, high temperature and high magnetic field. These coils shall have high heat transfer performance to avoid high thermal stress, sufficient strength and excellent fatigue to transport and bear the alternating electromagnetic force due to the combination of the high magnetic field and the AC current in the coil. Therefore these coils should be designed and analyzed to confirm the temperature distribution, strength and fatigue performance in the case of conservative assumption. To verify the design structural feasibility of the upper ELM coil under EM and thermal loads, thermal, static and fatigue structural analysis have been performed in detail using ANSYS. In addition, design optimization has been done to enhance the structural performance of the upper ELM coil.     

Application of Numerical Simulation in the Design of HECLIC Blanket for CFETR

China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor is a new tokamak device which is proposed by China National Integration Design Group. The fusion power is 50–200 MW and its plasma major radius and plasma minor radius are 5.7 and 1.6 m. The helium cooled lithium ceramic (HECLIC) blanket, as a key component of the tokamak, has the basic function to provide tritium breeding and plasma limiter. The blanket also provides main thermal and nuclear shielding of the vacuum vessel and ex-vessel components such as magnetic coils during plasma operations. With the development of the numerical simulation technology, more and more design parameters can be obtained by this method. Numerical simulation has been used for design and optimization, because some parameters are very hard to obtain though theoretical calculation. In this study, the simulation methods are investigated for HECLIC blanket design. Besides, design flow of the blanket is discussed and related analysis is also introduced to improve the design.