Cryoplant
The ITER cryoplant, under construction now, comprises 5,400 m² of covered buildings plus a large exterior area for the storage of helium and nitrogen.
The extensive cryogenic power needed to cool the ITER magnets, thermal shield and cryopumps will be delivered from a single location on the ITER site—an 8,000 m² area not far from the Tokamak Complex that houses the cryoplant infrastructure.
The soccer-field-size installation comprises 5,400 m² of covered buildings plus a large exterior area for the storage of helium and nitrogen in liquid and gaseous forms.
In the Cold Box Building, which occupies approximately 40 percent of the covered space, three identical helium refrigerators will work in parallel to provide liquid helium (LHe) to the major clients for cooling—ITER's 10,000 tonnes of superconducting magnets plus the cryosorption panels that ensure high-quality vacuum to the large volumes of the cryostat (8,500 m³) and vacuum vessel (1,400 m³). The three units will provide a total average cooling capacity of 75 kW at 4.5 K (-269 °C) at a maximum cumulated liquefaction rate of 12,300 litres per hour.
The cryoplant will also produce liquid nitrogen (LN₂) to be used as a ''pre-cooler'' in the liquid helium plant and for the refrigeration of the ITER thermal shield. The compressors for the nitrogen plant will be housed in the Compressor Building, next to the 18 compressors that will be required for the operation of the helium refrigerators; the two nitrogen cold boxes will be located outside of the building in the exterior area. Lost nitrogen will be extracted directly from the atmosphere in a gaseous nitrogen generator with a production capacity of 50 tonnes per day, and then processed in the two liquid nitrogen refrigerators with a maximum capacity of 1300 kW at 80 K.
A heat recovery system will be installed in the Compressor Building to recover up to 12 MW of heat from cooling water that circulates to evacuate the heat generated by the compressors. This recuperated thermal energy will be used in the heating of the ITER buildings themselves.
The LN₂ plant (blue, under the responsibility of Europe) will produce liquid nitrogen at a temperature of minus 196 °C to be used as a ''pre-cooler'' in the LHe plant (yellow, procured by the ITER Organization). Nearly 25 tonnes of liquid helium—at minus 269 °C—will circulate through a five-kilometre network of pipes, pumps and valves procured by India (the first part of the network is shown in green) in order to cool the superconducting magnets, the thermal shield, vacuum cryopumps, and certain diagnostics.
Cooling fluids generated in the cryoplant will travel along process lines installed 13 metres above platform level on a bridge that runs to the Tokamak Building; from there, approximately five kilometres of cryolines will distribute gas and liquid helium to the different "clients." The ITER magnets will consume 45 percent of cryogenic power followed by the thermal shield (40 percent) and the cryopumps (15 percent). Nearly 25 tonnes of liquid helium at minus 269 °C will circulate in the ITER installation during operation.
ITER's cryoplant has been designed to operate over a wide range of ITER plasma scenarios, from short plasma pulses (a few hundred seconds) with 700 MW of fusion power, to long plasma pulses of 3,000 seconds with 365 MW of fusion power. A number of unique features will also guarantee high reliability and availability despite unprecedented dynamic heat loads caused by magnetic field variations and fusion neutrons.
Three parties are sharing responsibility for the plant's procurement: the ITER Organization, responsible for the liquid helium plants; Europe, in charge of the liquid nitrogen plant and auxiliary systems as well as the construction of the cryoplant infrastructure on site; and India, whose contractors are procuring the cryolines, the warm lines and cryodistribution components.
Construction of the ITER cryoplant was completed in 2017; today, all mechanical installation has been completed and commissioning activities are underway.
More on the use of cryogenic technology at ITER here.
See an explicative video here (courtesy of Air Liquide).
Cryoplant facts:
- Construction: October 2015-September 2017
- Total area: 8,000 m²
- Building dimensions: Height 20 m, Length 120 m, Width 45 m
- Cold Box Building (liquid helium plant): 2,000 m²
- Compressor Building (compressors, liquid nitrogen plant): 3,400 m²
- Size of exterior storage area: 2,600 m²
- LHe total average cooling capacity: 75 kW at 4.5 K
- LHe liquefaction: 12,300 litres/hour
- LN₂ total average cooling capacity: 1300 kW at 80 K
- GN₂ liquefaction: 50 tonnes/day
Photo Gallery
Good progress in the cryoplant
2021-03-25 - Installation work in the cryoplant is nearing completion, and commissioning activities are scheduled to begin in July 2021. Follow all progress in the plant assembly pages of the ITER website (/construction/SystemsPlantAssembly). © Christian Luenig (See this page)
Two important roles
2020-11-12 - The cryogenic termination cold box has two roles: collecting and distributing cryogenic fluids produced in the cryoplant to the Tokamak Building, and warming up the fluids when it's time to bring clients back to room temperature for maintenance. Pictured: David Grillot, the head of ITER Cryogenic System Section.
The cryogenic termination cold box
2020-11-12 - Procured by ITER India and manufactured by the Swiss company Linde Kryotechnik AG, the cryogenic termination cold box is a massive structure packed with pipes, valves, electrical feedthroughs and pneumatic actuators. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Inside the plant
2020-11-03 - ITER's cryoplant has been designed to operate over a wide range of ITER plasma scenarios, from short plasma pulses (a few hundred seconds) with 700 MW of fusion power, to long plasma pulses of 3,000 seconds with 365 MW of fusion power. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Cryoplant in October
2020-10-09 - The ITER cryoplant comprises 5,400 m² of covered buildings plus a large exterior area for the storage of helium and nitrogen. An overhead bridge (not yet constructed) will connect the cryoplant to the Tokamak Complex. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
One of the last giants
2020-06-02 - One of the last large components enters the ITER cryoplant: a 56-tonne helium dryer.
As dry as 'He' can get
2020-05-27 - Cold boxes do not like water. Before it is processed, gaseous helium needs to be perfectly dry to prevent damage. This crucial operation is the task of a 56-tonne ''helium dryer'' that was installed in the cryoplant on 27 May.
The octopus
2019-09-23 - Evocative of a monster bug or a creature from the depths, this multistage centrifugal compressor pressurizes nitrogen before liquefying it. Liquid nitrogen at 77 K (minus 196 °C) contributes to the cooling process of helium.
Compressor row
2019-09-23 - A total of 18 helium compressors and associated inlet filters and electrical motors are aligned on two parallel platforms inside the cryoplant.
Seven kilometres of pipes
2019-09-23 - Approximately seven kilometres of pipes run through the installation, carrying helium, nitrogen and cooling water for the compressors and other equipment. Cooling water circulation in the cryoplant is in the range of 2,500 cubic metres per hour—the equivalent of an Olympic pool every 30 minutes.
Three cold boxes plus one
2019-09-23 - Serving the ITER cold clients requires three "cold boxes" plus a fourth to connect them (the "termination cold box," to the left). The 21-metre components —each weighing about 137 tonnes with internal systems—provide an insulated environment for heat exchangers, cryogenic adsorbers, liquid helium and liquid nitrogen phase separators.
Compression station
2019-09-23 - In the liquid helium plant compression station, a narrow corridor separates the two parallel oil removal system skids. Oil is used in the helium compression process but needs to be removed entirely by a set of filters, separators, pumps etc.
Inside the cold factory
2019-09-23 - As large as two football pitches, the ITER cryoplant provides cooling fluids to 10,000 tonnes of superconducting magnets, eight massive cryopumps, and thousands of square metres of thermal shielding.
2019-09-23 - Packing the power of approximately 60 electric vehicles, this 4.5 MW motor feeds the multistage centrifugal nitrogen compressor.
Across the road
2019-05-10 - Cryogens produced in the cryoplant (left) will travel by overhead bridge to the Tokamak Complex (concrete building at right).
Outside the cryoplant
2019-03-01 - This complex set of hand valves and local readings of pressure, temperature and flow is part of the cooling loop that maintains the temperature inside the cryoplant's quench tanks at 100 K.
Cryolines in production
2018-10-24 - INOXCVA in India is producing about half of the 5 km of cryolines needed for ITER (700 "spools") for the Indian Domestic Agency. Eighty percent have all kinds of angles, bends and turns.
Through the open doors of the cryoplant
2018-09-05 - All machines and equipment for the Cryoplant Building have been delivered and 30% of the material has been installed. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Flying above
2018-07-24 - Factory equipment, seen by drone in July. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Not far
2018-07-24 - Outside storage tanks in the cryoplant area. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Nitrogen as a pre-cooler for liquid helium
2018-07-17 - For the nitrogen plant, the first phase of centrifugal compressor installation was achieved this month.
Three identical rows
2018-07-17 - Aligned in three rows, each one linked to a helium cold box, the helium compressors installed on tall concrete pads will supply the cold boxes with gaseous helium at 21.8 bars.
The world's largest single-platform cryoplant
2018-07-17 - Three parties are sharing responsibility for the plant's procurement: the ITER Organization, responsible for the liquid helium plants; Europe, in charge of the liquid nitrogen plant and auxiliary systems as well as the construction of the cryoplant infrastructure on site; and India, whose contractors are procuring the cryolines and cryodistribution components.
First industrial plant on site
2018-07-17 - The ITER cryoplant used to be a vast echoey chamber with 5,400 m² of interior space divided into two areas; now, it is filled from floor to ceiling with industrial equipment.
Teamwork
2018-07-17 - Close coordination is required of the different teams representing the ITER Organization, the European Domestic Agency, equipment manufacturer Air Liquide, mechanical installation contractors, and ITER's Construction Management-as-Agent.
Filling up
2018-07-17 - Most of the planned components are now installed in the Compressor Building, drastically reducing the space for circulation.
From the air
2018-04-25 - The ITER cryoplant: 5,400 m² of covered space and 2,600 m² of exterior storage. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
All in a row
2018-04-25 - Seven tall storage tanks have now been installed outside of the cryoplant. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Last job
2018-04-25 - The tall crawler crane (on site since February) has finished its last task—the installation of two quench tanks near the north end of the building. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
On its way
2018-04-23 - This quench tank travels from its storage area to the cryoplant on a self-propelled modular transporter with 18 independently manoeuvrable axles.
Two horizontal tanks installed
2018-04-23 - Two 35-metre quench tanks have been removed from temporary storage and transferred to their exterior bays near the cryoplant. They are designed to hold helium from the magnet system in the case of sudden loss of superconductivity (quench).
Number 4
2018-02-22 - A fourth tank is installed outside of the cryoplant. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Verticality
2018-02-21 - Installed vertically because of space constraints, six identical tanks will store 380 cubic metres of gaseous helium each at a pressure of 22 bars.
All rods in place
2018-02-21 - Less than one hour after the beginning of the lifting operation, the tank is in place. Each rod has passed through its corresponding hole in the lower rim and is ready to be bolted.
Up we go!
2018-02-21 - Seized at both ends by cranes working in tandem, the 20-metre high, 150-tonne steel tank is slowly transitioning to its final position.
Team work
2018-02-21 - Representatives of the ITER Organization, the European Domestic Agency and of all the contractors involved in the operation (Air Liquide, Dufour, Technilevage, Altead, SETIS and IREM) pose in front of the massive component, now bolted to its concrete platform.
Pushing and pulling
2018-02-21 - It takes three men, weighing in with all their strength, to precisely align the openings in the tank's lower rim with the 36 rods anchored deep in the concrete.
Ready to lift
2018-02-12 - This large crawler crane was erected last week near the cryoplant. Beginning on 14 February, it will be used to lift vertical tanks for the storage of liquid and gaseous helium and nitrogen into position.
No sparks
2018-01-18 - A large number of lightening rods have been installed on the roof of the cryoplant.
Crane on its way
2018-01-16 - To install the tanks, a tall crane will be needed. Early February, 40 trucks will deliver the crane components.
Tank area ready
2018-01-16 - Beginning in February, teams will begin installing the exterior storage tanks for helium and nitrogen. In the zone pictured, the tanks will be installed vertically.
Basemat completed
2017-12-20 - The concrete finishing work for the exterior zone has been completed. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Two buildings, one roof
2017-12-20 - The 120-metre-long cryoplant is actually two buildings separated by a firewall—the Compressor Building (foreground) and the Cold Box Building. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Tanks coming
2017-12-20 - Tank installation will begin in early February in this exterior storage area. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
High storage
2017-12-20 - The concrete platform going up at right will support one of the horizontal storage tanks of the cryoplant. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Deliveries
2017-12-20 - Equipment is delivered to the Compressor Building in December. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
X marks the spot
2017-12-20 - Tank installation begins on 8 February.© Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
11 containers
2017-12-20 - The cryoplant will require 11 tanks for the storage of liquid and gaseous helium and nitrogen. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Skids positionned
2017-11-17 - All 18 helium compressor skids have been positioned on their concrete platforms in the cryoplant's Compressor Building.
Tank storage area
2017-10-26 - A level area and footings have been created for the helium and nitrogen storage tanks outside of the cryoplant. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Cryoplant project
2017-10-08 - The cryoplant (adjacent to the red-topped building) is all closed up. An interior fire wall separates the building into two spaces. Work is underway on the exterior area for gas storage.
18 all in a row
2017-09-19 - Work is underway in September on the helium screw compressor skids platforms.
Cladding ending
2017-09-19 - Multiple layers of exterior cladding ensure the cleanest possible interior environment for the cryoplant. The last layer ties the cryoplant into the "look and feel" of the main ITER buildings.
Exterior treatment: nearly completed
2017-08-29 - Workers are completing the cladding on the last corner of the cryoplant. Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Tanks soon
2017-08-29 - Running along the length of the cryoplant, on the outside, is an exterior area dedicated to the storage of gases and liquids. Work is underway to prepare the foundations and the footholds now. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Good progress
2017-08-22 - The 5,400 m² cryoplant is now fully framed out, and the first components have been installed. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Last round
2017-08-21 - On this side of the building, workers are installing the last layer of cladding. Its shiny surface is the architect's "signature" on all the permanent buildings of the scientific facility. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Footprints in the sand
2017-08-21 - These circular structures are in place to receive the standing tanks for gaseous and liquid helium and nitrogen. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Before the concrete
2017-08-17 - Anchor structures for the vertical storage tanks are set in place before concrete pouring begins.
Finishing the cladding
2017-07-12 - Workers have started to install the final reflective layer of cladding on the eastern face of the cryoplant.
Concrete support
2017-07-12 - Work underway in the cryoplant to prepare for the arrival of 18 helium screw compressor skids. Each one of the 25-tonne units will be installed on top of its own four-metre-high concrete pad, allowing oil from the compressor to regain the oil separation system through gravity.
Row after row
2017-07-12 - The 18 concrete structures in the ITER Compressor Building are massive pads that will each support one 25-tonne helium compressor skid. What appears as "windows" in the concrete blocks are in fact passages for the dense interconnecting piping.
Compressor Building, when it's chock full
2017-07-01 - In the 3,400 m² available in the Compressor Building, contractors will install 18 oil-flooded screw compressors for the helium plant as well as other helium compressors and compressors for the liquid nitrogen plant.
Cold boxes take their place
2017-06-23 - One of the three helium cold boxes is transported through the open door of the on-site cryoplant.
Celebrating a Council milestone
2017-06-22 - In the presence of ITER Director-General Bernard Bigot and his two deputies, Chief Operating Officer Gyung-Su Lee and Relations Coordinating Officer Eisuke Tada, the team responsible for cold box installation celebrates the respect of an ITER Council milestone that scheduled the "Start of work in the cryoplant" for June 2017.
Temporary tank storage
2017-06-22 - On its way to the cryoplant, the second cold box on its transport trailer passes three tanks (two for gaseous helium and a third, at right, for liquid nitrogen). They too will be transported to the cryoplant for installation in the exterior storage area.
Careful manoevring
2017-06-22 - The multi-wheeled transporter positions the second cold box next to the first. The equipment will now be propped up and the trailer removed.
First components!
2017-06-20 - On 20 June three helium coldboxes were moved from storage at the entrance of the ÏTER site to the Cold Box Building of the ITER cryoplant. This is the first equipment to be installed ... but certainly not the last!
Special anchors
2017-06-20 - On the exterior storage area of the cryoplant, embedded anchors are in place for the helium and nitrogen storage tanks that will be installed vertically. Photo: F4E
Equipment delivered
2017-06-14 - Part of the equipment delivered for the ITER cryoplant, these "warm panels" will be connected to the helium cold boxes
Ready to go!
2017-06-14 - Mid-June, the three helium cold boxes in storage were uncovered and prepared for transport to the cryoplant, where they will be installed.
A 5 400 m² factory
2017-06-14 - The ITER cryoplant has been fully framed out by European contractors. Work is starting now to equip the building. © Engage
Nearly ready for access
2017-06-08 - The building's cladding is nearly finalized and work is underway to pour the ground slab for the exterior storage area (foreground). Later this month, the three helium cold boxes will be transferred from storage for installation inside of the building.
First phase of cladding
2017-05-31 - Late May, the first phase of cladding is nearly complete. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Two buildings under one roof
2017-05-31 - The gap in the cladding permits us to distinguish the Cold Box Building, at left, from the Compressor Building, at right. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Closing in
2017-04-27 - The cladding of the cryoplant is going up. In this photo, the work is seen from the inside. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Compressor and cold box rooms
2017-04-19 - From the exterior it will look like one building, but in fact a thick firewall will separate the Cold Box Building (helium plant) from the Compressor Building (helium and nitrogen compressors). A break in the roof structure marks where the firewall will be erected.
Early installation activities will start in June
2017-04-19 - Work is progressing on the ITER cryoplant building. Early access for the first component installation activities is expected in June, with the full building completed in September.
Component installation to begin soon
2017-04-13 - Seen from one of the worksite cranes, the cryoplant is taking shape. In late June, the first components will be installed.
Demanding clients
2017-04-11 - Cooling fluids generated in the 45 x 120-metre Cryoplant Building will travel along process lines to the Tokamak Building, where it will be distributed to the different "clients" through a three-kilometre network of cryolines. The ITER magnets will consume 45 percent of cryogenic power followed by the thermal shield (40 percent) and the cryopumps (15 percent). Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Cryoplant taking shape
2017-04-10 - Construction of the world's largest concentrated cryoplant is progressing; the installation of the first components is scheduled for June. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Exterior storage
2017-04-10 - Work is underway to the left of the cryoplant on a 2,600 m² exterior storage area for the tanks that will house gaseous and liquid helium and nitrogen. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
From the sky
2017-04-10 - The two buildings of the cryoplant—the Cold Box Building (left) and the Compressor Building (right)—are separated by a gap in the frame that won't be visible once the building is finished. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Cryoplant roof frame
2017-03-22 - The southern portion of the cryoplant, seen from above. A large exterior area for the storage of helium and nitrogen in liquid and gaseous forms will be created to the left. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
First cladding
2017-03-22 - The first cladding appears on the cryoplant building structure in March. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Work in every zone
2017-03-22 - In front of the partially constructed cryoplant, material is stored for the underground networks which are being installed between the buildings. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Cold Box Building
2017-03-22 - Process lines carrying cryogens will travel from the Cold Box Building (pictured) to the Tokamak Building over a bridge installed 13 metres above platform level. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Working toward the start of component installation
2017-03-22 - The western facade of the Cryoplant Building, late March. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Cladding!
2017-03-16 - The cryoplant structure is beginning to look like a building as the first level of metal cladding is set into place ...
State of cryoplant: February
2017-02-28 - A 5,400 m² building, divided into two sections, will house all of the equipment necessary to deliver the cryogenic power needed at ITER. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Cryoplant: progress on the Compressor Building
2017-02-28 - Work advances in February on the basemat, columns and steel structure of the cryoplant Compressor Building. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Massive columns
2017-01-25 - One of the massive columns that will support the firewall between the two covered areas of the cryoplant. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
One building, two areas
2017-01-25 - The cryoplant building will be divided by a fire wall into two separate spaces. Giant columns for the fire wall are going up now. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Measurements underway
2017-01-25 - A common sight on the ITER platform: metrologists. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Factory dimensions
2017-01-25 - The ITER cryoplant will be 20 metres high, 120 metres long and 45 metres in width. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
First and secondary structures
2017-01-25 - After the main steel structure of the cryoplant is erected, workers will install a secondary structure to support the building's cladding. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Three zones for the cryoplant
2017-01-12 - The soccer field-size installation comprises 5,400 m² of covered buildings plus a large exterior area (far side) for the storage of helium and nitrogen in liquid and gaseous forms. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Closing the building in
2017-01-12 - On this side of the 20-metre-tall building, work to install the first layer of aluminium cladding has just begun. Workers are momentarily distracted, though, by the sound of the camera drone ... Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Roof structure for the cryoplant
2016-12-19 - The cryoplant worksite, seen from above. In December, work progresses on the roof structure. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
8,000 square metres for cryogenics
2016-12-19 - The ITER cryoplant will occupy an 8,000-square-metre area on the ITER platform. Gases and liquids will be stored on the outside, while the building will be divided between the compressor room and the helium plant zone. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Structure advances
2016-12-19 - The roof frame is going up for the ITER cryoplant. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Cryoplant components "en attente"
2016-12-15 - At the entrance to the ITER site, five large elements of the cryoplant are temporarily stored—three coldboxes for the liquid helium plant (in white, procured by the ITER Organization) and two large quench tanks procured by Europe that will store helium in the event of a magnet quench.
Significant space for ITER's single-platform cryoplant
2016-12-02 - The cryoplant takes up a 8,000-square-metre zone on the ITER platform. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Building: the rhythm accelerates
2016-12-02 - The concrete basemat of the cryoplant is disappearing under the first columns and partitions. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Building delivered in 2017
2016-12-02 - Workers have begun installing the roof structure for the ITER cryoplant. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
Cranes planned for cryoplant facility maintenance
2016-12-02 - These tall columns are sized to support the weight of the installation's maintenance cranes. © Les Nouveaux Médias/SNC ENGAGE
End-of-day light
2016-10-27 - End-of-day light on the cryoplant worksite, where teams are working overtime to ready at least part of the facility for component installation activities to begin in the second quarter of 2017.
Giant columns for the Cryoplant Building
2016-10-08 - These massive columns will support the structure of the Cryoplant Building. The worker in orange (on the scaffolding) gives an idea of their size.
Cryoplant Building under construction
2016-10-08 - Cold components are arriving now for the ITER cryoplant. The 5,400 m² building that will house them is under construction on the southeast portion of the platform.
Cryoplant construction: seen from above
2016-10-04 - The building that will house the ITER cryoplant is under construction on the southeast portion of the platform. Its basemat and columns are visible from the air. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
5,400 m² to house cold boxes, compressors and tanks
2016-10-04 - Columns are going up on the site of the ITER cryoplant. The building will be ready to receive components in 2017. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Cold boxes: providing insulation for key components
2016-09-26 - Each 4.2 x 21 metre cold box will weigh about 137 tonnes once all internal components are integrated. Three identical helium plants will store and circulate liquid helium (at a temperature of 4 K or minus 269 °C) throughout the installation.
Hundreds of components
2016-09-26 - The different components of the ITER cryoplant are expected to arrive at ITER in 450 shipments. Pictured: the warm panels of the liquid helium cold boxes.
Compressor fabrication
2016-09-13 - 18 compressors will be required for the operation of the helium refrigerators. In a factory in the northeast of France, near Metz, compressor parts are being assembled on the shop floor.
4,500 individual components
2016-09-13 - The ITER cryogenic system: 50 cold boxes, 3 kilometres of cryolines, and 4,500 components. Ninety percent of components were delivered in 2016 (pictured: heat recovery skids for the liquid helium plant).
An indoor-outdoor facility to house the cryoplant
2016-08-25 - The site of the ITER cryoplant, under construction in August 2016. Two connected buildings will be complemented by an external storage area. Photo: © LNM/F4E
The cold house
2016-07-20 - The ITER cryoplant will deliver 75 kW of combined cooling power to the ITER installation. Work is underway now on the building, and before the end of the year most of the equipment will have been delivered to the site.
Cryoplant rises
2016-07-20 - Columns are rising for the ITER cryoplant, now that the underground galleries and the foundations are finished.
Tanks will go here
2016-07-11 - Infrastructure works are underway on the westernmost portion of the cryoplant worksite to support the warm and cold storage tanks that will be capable of storing the entire inventory of helium and liquid nitrogen during maintenance periods.
From above
2016-07-11 - Parallel to the winding facility for poloidal field coils (at right) the construction of the ITER cryoplant is underway. Photo: ITER Organization/EJF Riche
Progress on the ITER cryoplant
2016-07-11 - On the completed foundations, pillar frames are starting to rise.
Cryoplant, in June 2016
2016-07-11 - Adjacent to the Assembly Building, work is underway on the ITER cryoplant building.
Liquid nitrogen plant components pass tests
2016-05-24 - Four turbines produced for ITER's liquid nitrogen (LN2) cryogenic plant have successfully passed factory acceptance testing. Photo: F4E
Cryoplant: underground structure completed
2016-04-07 - Work on the foundations and underground structures of the ITER cryoplant is coming to an end. Soon, approximately four dozen 16-metre-high pillars will be erected to support the building's steel structure.
Latest good news on liquid nitrogen plant
2016-02-16 - In a recent milestone, two nitrogen compressors for ITER's liquid nitrogen plant successfully complete factory testing in Europe. Photo: F4E
Cryoplant technical galleries
2016-02-04 - Work on the technical galleries of the cryoplant is almost completed. The floor slab and steel frame will follow ... in time to deliver the building in 2017.
The largest concentrated cryogenic system in the world
2016-02-04 - The ITER cryoplant will be capable of providing cooling power at three different temperature levels: 4 K, 50K and 80K. Currently, work is underway on the building's foundations.
Underground galleries
2015-12-01 - Before work begins on the cryoplant itself, workers are creating underground galleries for the transport of electricity/fluids. Photo: F4E
Cryoplant foundations underway
2015-12-01 - Extensive cryogenic technology will create and maintain low-temperature conditions for the magnet and vacuum pumping systems as well as some diagnostics. On site, work has started on the foundations of the ITER cryoplant. Photo: F4E
Foundations for the Cryoplant Building
2015-10-20 - In October, site teams began work on the reinforced foundations of the Cryoplant Building. Photo: F4E
First works on Cryoplant Building
2015-10-14 - Excavation has started for the ITER Cryoplant Building near the Assembly Hall. The 121-metre-long, 47-metre-wide and 19-metre-high Cryoplant Building will host one of the world's largest clusters of cryogenic equipment.
Cryoplant preparatory works
2015-09-28 - Excavation works for the ITER cryoplant have ended. The cryoplant will produce the cooling power required for operation and distribute it through a complex system of cryolines and cold boxes. Photo: ENGAGE
