The accomplishment of the Engineering Design Activities of IFMIF/EVEDA: The European Japanese project towards a Li(d,xn) fusion relevant neutron source

TL;DR

This paper reports the successful completion of the engineering design activities for the IFMIF/EVEDA project, highlighting design improvements for a neutron source relevant to fusion research, with implications for operational efficiency and safety.

Contribution

It presents the detailed engineering design report of the IFMIF plant, including innovative design improvements and operational strategies implemented during the EVEDA phase.

Findings

Design improvements reduce beam losses and operational costs.

Enhanced remote handling and maintenance strategies.

Optimized cooling systems improve efficiency and safety.

Abstract

The International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF), presently in its Engineering Validation and Engineering Design Activities (EVEDA) phase under the frame of the Broader Approach Agreement between Europe and Japan, accomplished in summer 2013, on schedule, its EDA phase with the release of the engineering design report of the IFMIF plant, which is here described. Many improvements of the design from former phases are implemented, particularly a reduction of beam losses and operational costs thanks to the superconducting accelerator concept, the re-location of the quench tank outside the test cell (TC) with a reduction of tritium inventory and a simplification on its replacement in case of failure, the separation of the irradiation modules from the shielding block gaining irradiation flexibility and enhancement of the remote handling equipment reliability and cost reduction, and the water cooling of the liner and biological shielding of the TC, enhancing the efficiency and economy of the related sub-systems. In addition, the maintenance strategy has been modified to allow a shorter yearly stop of the irradiation operations and a more careful management of the irradiated samples. The design of the IFMIF plant is intimately linked with the EVA phase carried out since the entry into force of IFMIF/EVEDA in June 2007.