F4E hosts the Blanket Integrated Project Team Meeting

The Blanket Integrated Project Team (IPT) quarterly meeting was hosted by F4E on 24-25 October. This 39th meeting gathered the Integrated Project Team for the ITER blanket which consists of ITER IO representatives and the other relevant Domestic Agencies from China, Japan, Korea, Russia, United States as well as F4E in order to work together and share information on the design and activities of the Blanket project. The Blanket is the part of the ITER machine that acts as a first barrier and protects the vacuum vessel, the heart of the ITER machine, from the neutrons and other energetic particles that are produced by the hot plasma.

F4E is responsible for the supply of about 50% of the ITER first wall panels of the Blanket (Russia contributes 38% and China the remaining 12%), which encompasses 218 panels. Each panel consists of a stainless steel support structure bonded to a heat sink material and beryllium tiles. The heat sink material is made up of a copper alloy which transfers the heat generated from the plasma to the water coolant, while the beryllium tiles act as an interface for the plasma. The use of metallic beryllium is especially suitable because, thanks to its low atomic number, even though the temperature will be high, it will limit the contamination of the plasma. F4E also contributes with the manifolds, the stainless steel piping system used to bring cooling water to the inner in–vessel components. The series fabrication for the first wall panel will start in 2015, and the procurement for the manifolds in 2014.

Among 30 participants, in addition to F4E staff, attended the meeting which was deemed a success as it enabled work to advance and communication to be enhanced. Side meetings were also organised in order to further progress on the specific areas of the design.