Design assessment for manufacturability of supporting structures for IWS and ELM coil of ITER vacuum vessel

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design Vol. 88; no. 9-10; pp. 1886 - 1890
• Main Authors: Kim, Yu-Gyeong, Hong, Yun-Seok, Kwon, Tae-Hoon, Jung, Yung-Jin, Ahn, Hee-Jae, Kim, Byung-Chul, Lee, Young-Ju
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2013
• Subjects: Coiling; Design engineering; Deviation; Distortion; Elm; ELM coil support; ITER; IWS supporting rib; Manufacturability; Structural analysis; Vessels; Welding; ITER; Manufacturability; ELM coil support; IWS supporting rib; Structural analysis
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2013.01.042
• ISSN: 0920-3796

► A “bridge type” welding method was proposed for IWS rib and ELM coil supports. ► This method could reduce the welding distortion and increase the manufacturability. ► Structural integrity of proposed design was assessed for both P and S type damages. ► Results show that the proposed designs meet the design criteria of RCC-MR. A vacuum vessel is one of the core facilities of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) and basically all-welded structure. Korea is responsible for the procurement of sector 1 and 6 of the main vessel. Accordingly, the design review for the fabrication is in progress by ITER Korea and Hyundai Heavy Industries. Due to anticipated manufacturing problems such as the welding distortion, the design of some components of main vessel, IWS (In-Wall Shield) supporting rib and ELM (Edge Localized Mode) coil support, needs to be modified. To release the risk of welding distortion, the welding method called “bridge type” is suggested and the shape of weld joint is adjusted to secure the manufacturability of the issued components. The elastic and limit analyses with fatigue evaluation have been performed under the most critical loading condition to verify the structural integrity of modified design. Analysis results show that the proposed designs meet the design criteria of RCC-MR. The design deviation requests have been submitted to ITER Organization and ANB (Agreed Notified Body) for approval and their verification is currently in progress.