Research Needs for Magnetic Fusion Energy Sciences - US Burning ...

• investigate the possibility of performing maintenance on hot components to speed up
replacement.
availability growth through Remote Handling System and Facility Design
many view the fusion nuclear environment as the most challenging of the remote handling applications.
it is characterized by extreme radiation levels, space-constrained in-vessel access openings,
complex and heavy in-vessel components with complex mounting, and service connections
that require precision positioning and intricate handling kinematics by robotic mechanisms well
beyond today’s state-of-the-art technology. The limited in-vessel access typified by tokamak fusion
designs is in direct conflict with simple, expedient maintainability. moreover, fusion reactor
concepts include robotic handling and transport of large activated components through the plant
facilities, and refurbishment in a hot cell. These operations are unprecedented in themselves —
fortunately, iteR is facing them first.
The demo integrated design activity must address the remote handling systems and hot cell facilities.
component test facilities, which are proposed to test reactor prototypical in-vessel components,
also provide a needed opportunity to develop and test remotely automated and perhaps
autonomous maintainable in-vessel components using reactor remote handling systems and hot
cell facilities. Preparatory remote handling R&d activities should include:
• development of large scale, radiation-hard robotic devices that can provide dexterous
manipulation and precise positioning of large, multi-ton, highly activated in-vessel
components, preferably with simple linear and time efficient motions.
• development of specialty remote tooling and end-effectors, including precision remote
metrology systems to measure plasma facing component alignment, swelling, and erosion
in the extreme fusion environment (dusty, high radiation, high temperature, and high
vacuum).
• development of hot cell remote handling systems and tooling necessary to refurbish and/
or waste process the activated in-vessel components.
COnCLuSiOnS
designing demo to meet the goal of 50% or more availability requires a number of cross cutting
development activities:
• developing and qualifying components in test facilities and monitoring in-service
performance in present-day and future machines to develop needed reliability and
lifetime data. These test facilities and future ctF-class machines are also required to meet
technology development needs beyond our area.
• initiating an aggressive reliability growth and maintainability improvement program
that builds on what we learn from testing and operating components.
• initiating an integrated design activity for demo that will process what we learn from
iteR, test facilities, and future ctF-class machines and develop a credible, low risk,
attractive design for demo.
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