Tokamak Complex
A changing landscape
13 Jan 2020
For the past three years, the view from the top of the highest worksite crane has not changed much. Inside of the Tokamak Complex, 80 metres below, concrete galleries took shape and progressively hid the circular structure of the bioshield—but the overall pattern of volume and shape remained largely unchanged. Then, at the turn of the year, the addition of a new feature completely recomposed the landscape. With the Tokamak Building now topped by the steel structure of its crane hall, the main building on the ITER worksite is just a step away from its final aspect.
The complete crane hall structure—20 tall pillars and roof modules included—weighs approximately 2,000 tonnes. Contractors are currently installing the secondary steel structure (crossbars, etc), tightening bolts, and touching up paint.
Another three or four months and the skeleton-like steel structure, whose first elements were installed last September, will be completely covered over in the signature cladding of the ITER buildings—11,000 square metres of alternating mirror-like stainless steel and dark grey-lacquered metal.
From the outside, in conformity with the early architects' drawings, very little will distinguish the Assembly Hall from the Tokamak Building crane hall, matched as they are in height and nearly in width.
This week, European Domestic Agency contractors will begin to lay crane rails on the thick runway beams that extend past the Tokamak pit, start installing the lateral steel beams across the front of the structure (now wide open) that will permit the installation of cladding in that area, and continue the dismantling of the temporary wall that has stood for years between the Assembly Hall and the Tokamak Building. (The black tarpaulin will stay in place for now to ensure weather tightness.)
Within four weeks, a first layer of cladding should protect the entire structure. Towards the end of February, the assembly cranes will travel for the first time into the crane hall for testing and commissioning activities there.
See more information about the ongoing works in the gallery below.
One step away
With the Tokamak Building now topped by the steel structure of its crane hall, the main building on the ITER worksite is just a step away from its final aspect. Another three or four months and the skeleton-like steel structure, whose first elements were installed last September, will be completely covered over in the signature cladding of the ITER buildings—11,000 square metres of alternating mirror-like stainless steel and dark grey-lacquered metal.
Peeking into the adjacent building
Evocative of a stage with black curtains, the vertical opening at the centre of this image offers a glimpse of the ongoing activity inside the adjacent Assembly Hall. For years, the Assembly Hall and the Tokamak Building were separated by a temporary wall. On 13 January, dismantling operations began in order to prepare for the extension of the overhead crane rails over the Tokamak pit.
Cranes to enter this space in late February
Just inside the metal frame are the massive "runway beams" that will support the weight of the bridge cranes and their heavy loads. The beams are ready to receive the crane rails; installation work begins this week.
Adjusting torque
In different areas of the roof structure, teams are tightening bolts and adjusting torque. First-level cladding will completely cover the structure by late February, allowing the bridge cranes to be brought into the new volume over the Tokamak pit for testing and commissioning.
Site north
Cooling water will flow from the Tokamak machine to the heat rejection zone (pictured) at rates of up to 14 m³/s. Equipment arriving from India is being installed by ITER Organization contractors inside of infrastructure prepared by Europe.
Site south
Much of the central area of the platform is dedicated to electrical power, with two identical buildings for magnet power conversion (centre), a small facility for reactive power compensation (further along to the right) and as yet unbuilt structures to house the neutral beam power supplies. Also visible is the European magnet winding facility (far left) and the ITER cryoplant (left).
A vast electrical switchyard occupies the southern third of the construction platform to transform 400 kV current from the French electrical grid into the pulsed power required by the machine, or the steady state power required by the installation. The commissioning of the electrical distribution networks has proceeded on pace with needs.