Components

Europe starts manufacturing ITER Torus and Cryostat Cryopumps

Ensuring the proper vacuum conditions in the ITER Torus and Cryostat will be critical to perform the fusion experiment. The production of custom-made cryopumps to this end has already begun.

After a first successful Manufacturing Readiness Review (MRR) completed in January, the second and final one was performed in April, thus enabling the fabrication of all the cryopumps’ components. “Reaching this stage in the project required significant effort to qualify special processes and to ensure that the demanding specifications of the ITER project are met. These include cleanliness conditions for the high vacuum levels, tight tolerances, and nuclear safety requirements,” explains Francina Canadell, F4E Project Manager and Technical Responsible Officer.

Start of manufacturing of a pump plug. ALSYOM, France, July 2021.

The RIALSYOM consortium put a lot of work to conclude this MRR. Dr Michael Pekeler, Director of RI, tells us more about it. “It has been quite a challenge to finalise all the required documentation but we have reached this milestone due to the commitment and enthusiasm of our engineers and thanks to the excellent collaboration with F4E and ITER Organization. We are now looking forward to the production of the cryopumps, which has already started in our two companies. We are delighted that we can contribute to the success of ITER by supplying such fascinating high tech components.”

A total of eight cryopumps are being produced. Two of them will pump out the 8 500 m3 from the cryostat, reaching a high vacuum (10-4 pascals, a billionth of the atmospheric pressure at sea level). The other six will pump out the residual gas from the torus, a 1330 m3 chamber that will achieve an even higher vacuum (10-6 pascals, that is one hundred times less pressure than the previous one). The pre-production cryopump, which served to draw lessons for enhancing the final design and was delivered to ITER in 2017, will be left as a spare one.

Intermediate rings of the cryopump casing. ALSYOM, France, July 2021.

“The project involves many processes that are advanced, such as hydroforming, or with record-breaking requirements, such as the machining of the sealing surfaces. Considering these technical challenges, the manufacturing stage has been reached in a very short time. I’m proud to be part of a team which made this possible!” states Yves Cartier, Sofren Nuclear Safety Officer providing support to F4E. 19 M EUR will be invested in the manufacturing of these 8-tonne components. The ITER Torus and Cryostat Cryopumps are expected to be delivered in 2022.

press@f4e.europa.eu

Recent Posts

Is Europe ready to lead the fusion energy race?

F4E Roundtable brings together policy makers, industry, SMEs, start-ups, and laboratories to shape tomorrow’s strategy.

6 days ago

European systems ready to power Japanese gyrotrons in JT-60SA

Integrated tests by F4E, QST, JEMA Energy achieved 1 MW of radio frequency power.

1 week ago

The F4E Fusion Observatory presents a report on private sector investment

Europe behind US in start-up market but leads in funding for the ITER supply chain.

2 weeks ago

The ITER Fast Discharge building is completed

F4E and European constructors also hand over the busbar bridges.

3 weeks ago

The foundations of IFMIF-DONES facility are laid

Japan joins the partnership as multilateral agreement progresses.

4 weeks ago

F4E and Air Liquide get ITER’s Cryoplant ready

Commissioning of European systems advancing after successful mechanical tests.

1 month ago