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Disruption mitigation | Final design review is a major step forward
The generations of physicists, engineers, technicians and other specialists who have worked in nuclear fusion share a common goal, dedication and responsibility [...]
Image of the week | Like grasping a bowl of cereal
Contrary to the vast majority of ITER machine components, the modules that form the central solenoid cannot be lifted by way of hooks and attachments. The 110-t [...]
Education | 13th ITER International School announced
The 13th ITER International School (IIS) will be held from 9 to 13 December in Nagoya hosted by National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), Japan. The subject [...]
Open Doors Day | Having fun while discovering ITER
A public event on Saturday 13 April draws a big crowd. It was a beautiful, summer-like day on Saturday 13 April. Perfect for a journey into ITER. Nearly 800 mem [...]
Fusion world | Increased awareness in a changing landscape
The world of fusion research is changing fast, and world leaders are taking notice. The large public projects that occupied centre stage for the past decades ar [...]
In early April, more than 50 experts met in Korea to discuss the fabrication of the ITER vacuum vessel, a technically challenging procurement that involves four ITER Domestic Agencies, the ITER Central Team and a large number of industrial contractors.
A penetration for in-vessel viewing and divertor cooling pipes at Hyundai Heavy Industries, in Ulsan. From left to right: ITER Vacuum Vessel and Thermal Shield Section Alex Martin, Yuri Utin and Chang-Ho Choi; Emmanuel Verdesio, Project Manager at AMW.
In 2015, representatives from all involved parties were reunited in the Vacuum Vessel Project Team, created by the ITER Executive Project Board to promote synergies, the sharing of experience, and the rapid resolution of fabrication issues for the vacuum vessel sectors, ports and in-wall shielding.
The vacuum vessel is a double-walled, hermetically sealed stainless steel vessel that houses the fusion reaction and acts as a first safety containment barrier. In the space between the double walls, steel in-wall shielding blocks will provide protection from neutron radiation for components situated outside of the vessel; in addition, cooling water will circulate to remove the heat generated during operation. Openings, or ports, in the vacuum vessel will provide access for remote handling operations, diagnostics, heating, and vacuum systems.
At the Project Team meeting held from 4 to 7 April at the National Fusion Research Institute and Hyundai Heavy Industry, members of the ITER Organization, the Domestic Agencies of Europe, India, Korea and Russia, and contractors AMW (Ansaldo Nucleare S.p.A, Mangiarotti S.p.A and Walter Tosto S.p.A.), Avasarala Technologies Ltd, Hyundai Heavy Industry, MDT (MAN Diesel & Turbo SE) and ENSA discussed manufacturing challenges—including complex interfaces, instrumentation, tolerances and technologies—and opportunities for simplification and improvement.
Already, collaboration within the Project Team has led to a marked acceleration in document review and approval time, the establishment of a baseline schedule for all procuring Domestic Agencies for monitoring purposes, and the much-improved resolution of interface issues. All participants to the April meeting agreed to keep on in this spirit.
