N. Dolgetta

Progress in Design, Analysis, and Manufacturing Studies of the ITER Feeders

The feeder design has been improved by the feeder teams at the ITER Organization (IO) and the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Science (ASIPP) by incorporating the results of mechanical and thermal analyses as well as the system integration and assembly tolerances in the present CAD model. The feeder design is being finalized progressively, and will be delivered to the Chinese Domestic Agent (CNDA) for further procurement arrangement (PA) activities. Pre-PA manufacturing studies and tests performed at ASIPP have been effective in clarifying feeder design feasibility and component manufacturability. This paper reports the recent advancements on feeder design, analysis and manufacturing studies.

Progress of the ITER Correction Coils in China

The ITER Correction Coils (CC) include three sets of six coils each, distributed symmetrically around the tokamak to correct error fields. Each pair of coils, located on opposite sides of the tokamak, is series connected with polarity to produce asymmetric fields. The manufacturing of these superconducting coils is undergoing qualification of the main fabrication processes: winding into multiple pancakes, welding helium inlet/outlet on the conductor jacket, turn and ground insulation, vacuum pressure impregnation, inserting into an austenitic stainless steel case, enclosure welding, and assembling the terminal service box. It has been proceeding by an intense phase of R&D, trials tests, and final adjustment of the tooling. This paper mainly describes the progress in ASIPP for the CC manufacturing process before and on qualification phase and the status of corresponding equipment which are ordered or designed for each process. Some test results for the key component and procedure are also presented.

Mechanical Analysis of the JT-60SA TF Coils

The mission of the JT-60SA Tokamak, which will be built in Japan, is to contribute to the early realization of fusion energy in support and supplement of the ITER program. The JT-60SA project is part of the broader approach for fusion energy. In 2008, due to a design change of the TF cross section, and following the redefinition of the global JT-60S A features, mechanical analyses were redone. The first 2D and 3D mechanical analyses were performed on the current TF design, providing useful information on the pros and cons of the new design. For the 2D analysis, the critical area of the inner leg cross section in the location of the equatorial plane was meshed to study the effect of in plane loads. The analysis includes checking the peak field applied to the conductors and the stress on each of the components of the winding pack cross section, in particular in the insulation which is a critical component. The stress in winding pack cross section is due to the accumulation of cool down strain, ¿in plane¿ Lorentz forces and to the quench pressure. Both magnetic and mechanical analyses are performed with the ANSYS V11.0 code. In this paper, we present the main steps of the 2D and 3D FEM calculations which were developed by CEA and used in the following analyses. Associated statements concerning possible TF design optimization with respect to cost, feasibility or risk are also presented.

An Optimized Central Solenoid for ITER

The Central Solenoid (CS) of the ITER tokamak has to provide the flux variation needed to induce the plasma current and to shape the field lines in the divertor region. It is designed as a stack of 6 identical coils, independently power supplied. Repulsing forces arising between the coils during a scenario are withstood by a precompression structure installed around the coils. Studies were carried out to simplify the winding manufacture, to optimize the precompression structure and procedure, to optimize the stack assembly of the 6 coils and the assembly of the central solenoid inside the tokamak which allows withdrawal from the machine, while meeting the ITER design criteria and in particular the Magnet Structural Design Criteria (static and fatigue).

ITER Central Solenoid design

The Central Solenoid (CS) is a critical component in the ITER tokamak providing plasma current drive and shaping. The CS final design is being completed at the US ITER Project Office (USIPO) in Oak Ridge, TN under a Procurement Arrangement with the ITER Organization (IO). Key design decisions have been made and CAD models and drawings developed. Interfaces have been established. An extensive R&D program has been completed. Analyses have been conducted to verify the design meets requirements. Design documentation is being completed in anticipation of a Final Design Review in the fall of 2013. The paper describes the key features of the CS final design.

From Design to Development Phase of the ITER Correction Coils

The Correction Coils system (CC) within ITER, is intended to reduce the range of magnetic error fields created by assembly or geometrical imperfections of the other coils used to confine, heat, and shape the plasma. The proposed magnet system consists of three sets of 6 coils each, located at the top (TCC), side (SCC) and bottom (BCC) of the Tokamak device and uses a NbTi cable-in-conduit superconducting conductor (CICC) operating at 4.2 K. The ITER Organization (IO) and the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) are jointly preparing the definition of the technical specifications and the upcoming qualification program for the Correction Coils. The proposed design consists of a one in hand conductor winding without internal joint inserted in a structural casing which reacts the electromagnetic loads. The development of major items such as terminal joints, casing manufacture, and vacuum impregnation system, is an essential phase before the series production which will take place at the premises of the supplier. This paper discusses the key technologies on CC coils and future plans for short sample prototypes fabrication.

Moving Toward Manufacture of the ITER Central Solenoid

After several years of design optimization, the Central Solenoid (CS) of the ITER Magnet system is now moving towards manufacture. The design has evolved to take into account on one hand the results of the R&D carried out by the US ITER team in charge of the development of the design and on the other hand the feedback provided by the involvement of industry in preparation of the manufacture. To address specific issues, dedicated mock-ups have been manufactured and tested. Electromagnetic, structural and thermo-hydraulic analyses have been carried out to verify the compliance of the design with the ITER design criteria. A review of the Final Design is planned in 2013, preparing then to move into the manufacturing phase.

Key Components of the ITER Magnet Feeders

Now that ITER is entering construction, many of its systems are in the final stages of design and analysis. Among them the 31 feeders, which will be supplied in-kind by the Chinese ITER partner. The feeders supply the electrical power and cryogens through the warm-cold barrier to the ITER superconducting magnet systems. They are complex systems with their independent cryostats and thermal shields, densely packed with many components, such as the current feeds, the cryogenic valves and High-Voltage (HV) instrumentation hardware. Some of the feeder components are particularly critical and have been designed with great care. Among them the High-Temperature Superconductor (HTS) current leads, designed for unprecedented currents, the 30 kV class, Paschen-hard HV insulation and the bus bar support system, designed to react the multi-ton Lorentz-forces from the bus bars at minimal heat load. This paper discusses the design challenges for these (and other) key components of the ITER magnet feeders.

Qualification Phase of Key Technologies for ITER Correction Coils

The ITER Magnet system [1] consists of four main coils sub-systems: 18 Toroidal Field Coils (TF-coil), a Central Solenoid (CS), 6 Poloidal Field Coils (PF-coil) and 18 Correction Coils (EFCC). The main contract of the EFCCs supply is awarded to the Institute of Plasma Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) by the Chinese Domestic Agency (CNDA). According to the pre-qualification program, ASIPP is implementing the procurement phase to qualify and validate key technologies and manufacturing methods. The Correction coils qualification activities are conducted within the framework of the procurement arrangement set up between the ITER Organization and CNDA. The paper describes the CC development including first results of the coils winding qualification trials and, qualification of a S-Glass fiber-polyimide based insulation system The CC casing assembly process and the first results of the welding trials are reported. The weld qualification, according to ASTM for 316LN austenitic steel is reported in terms of fracture toughness, fatigue crack growth, and tensile property at 4 K. The Vacuum Pressure Impregnation of CC short mock-up, with low viscosity bisphenol-F (DGEBF) epoxy resin, aims to optimization of the curing and insulation mechanical properties.

Starting Manufacture of the ITER Central Solenoid

The central solenoid (CS) is a key component of the ITER magnet system to provide the magnetic flux swing required to drive induced plasma current up to 15 MA. The manufacture of its different subcomponents has now started, following completion of the design analyses and achievement of the qualification of the manufacturing procedures. A comprehensive set of analyses has been produced to demonstrate that the CS final design meets all requirements. This includes in particular structural analyses carried out with different finite-element models and addressing normal and fault conditions. Following the Final Design Review, held in November 2013, and the subsequent design modifications, the analyses were updated for consistency with the final design details and provide evidence that the Magnet Structural Design Criteria are fully met. Before starting any manufacturing activity of a CS component, a corresponding dedicated qualification program has been carried out. This includes manufacture of mockups using the real manufacturing tools to be tested in relevant conditions. Acceptance criteria have been established for materials and components, winding including joints, cooling inlets and outlets, insulation, precompression, and support structure elements.