Thu, 27 June, 2019
As part of ongoing technical support to the global collaborative ITER project, TWI recently completed the first of multiple deliverables providing design and engineering support for the manufacture of an IC Antenna.
The ITER project has seen 35 nations working together to build the world’s largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy based on the same principle that powers our Sun and stars. The experimental campaign is crucial to advancing fusion science and preparing the way for the fusion power plants of tomorrow.
TWI’s involvement in the complicated work programme included providing advice on suitable machining and fabrication routes, down selection of different welding options, identification of potential non-destructive testing techniques as well as ensuring conformance to relevant quality requirements, including codes and standards documents.
Paul Brooker, the TWI engineer leading the project, commented that whilst the work has been technically challenging, it has been a great opportunity to combine the different capabilities at TWI to deliver support to a key customer.
Mike Russell, operations director at TWI, noted that, “the unique nature of TWI provides a great opportunity to assemble multi-disciplinary teams to deliver quality solutions to industrial problems.”
An example of the complex assembly can be seen below…
About ITER:
ITER—designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power—will be the world's largest experimental fusion facility. Fusion is the process that powers the Sun and the stars: when light atomic nuclei fuse together to form heavier ones, a large amount of energy is released. Fusion research is aimed at developing a safe, abundant and environmentally responsible energy source.
ITER is also a first-of-a-kind global collaboration. Europe is contributing almost half of the costs of its construction, while the other six Members of this joint international venture (China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the USA), are contributing equally to the rest. The ITER Project is under construction in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, in the south of France.
You can find more information on the ITER Project here.
