Prime pagine RA2010FUS:Copia di Layout 1 - ENEA - Fusione

080
progress report
2010
Figure 3.49 – Purification system of LiFus 3
loop
Figure 3.50 – Test rig after exposure
Figure 3.51 – Stereoscopic image of the test rig SEM analysis of the gasket
Implementation of the Li purification system (LF04 EU). LiFus 3 is provided a purification system consisting
of a cold trap, a nitrogen hot trap and a hydrogen trap, designed by ENEA in collaboration with the University
of Nottingham (fig. 3.49). This purification system has been updated in late 2009 to take into account the
advices of an expert panel. The installation and commissioning of this system was completed early in 2010.
Nevertheless, due to technical problems, still unsolved, of LiFus 3 loop the purification system has not been
tested yet. Together with the purification system, an online monitoring system for the measurement of the
nitrogen content in lithium was installed.
Testing of the purification system is now planned in February 2011.
Remote handling of the IFMIF target assembly system (LF 05 EU). During 2010, a series of technology and
remote handling (RH) tasks were performed. The technology tasks were aimed at validating the current BP
bayonet concept design. They included:
1) The qualification of the lithium sealing capability of the Helicoflex gasket (see fig. 3.50). This experimental work was
addressed at evaluating the compatibility with lithium of the outer Jacket material of the gasket (i.e. Soft
Iron). After 1800 hrs of exposure at 350°C, post analyses of the rigs, stereoscopic and scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) analyses (see fig. 3.51), were performed. The main outcomes of the tests highlighted the
suitability of the proposed sealing system. Further tests are planned in 2011, thus extending the exposure
time up to 6000 hrs.
2) Evaluation of the swelling phenomena and its impact on the BP coupling system (University of Palermo). This activity was
aimed at evaluating the thermo–mechanical issues potentially induced by neutron swelling in the threaded
connections of the IFMIF target BP. A parametric analysis was carried out for each kind of bolt by
considering a swelling volumetric strain ranging from 0.001% to 0.1%, and both the maximum equivalent
stress within the screw (see fig. 3.52) and the unscrewing torque (see fig. 3.53) were estimated. The results
obtained highlighted that screw dimensions seem to influence mainly the highest values of the unscrewing
torque which are reached at ε sw
∼0.04÷0.05%, regardless of the screw diameter. The maximum ε sw