TWI wins major contract to provide engineering support in materials joining and non-destructive testing technologies for production of ITER components
TWI has been awarded a major framework contract to support the fabrication of key components of the ITER nuclear fusion reactor, by Fusion for Energy (F4E), the organisation delivering the European contribution to the ground-breaking ITER International Fusion Energy project. ITER is a first-of-a-kind global collaboration. It will be the world's largest experimental fusion facility and is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power.
The four-year contract will see TWI (with subcontractors Ceram and The Test House) provide engineering support to F4E on the performance of materials, joining, structural integrity of joints and non-destructive testing activities in support of the manufacture of components such as the vacuum vessel, magnets system, remote handling equipment and in-vessel parts. The core of ITER is the ‘Tokamak’ based doughnut-shaped vacuum vessel in which plasma is heated and confined in magnetic fields, as no solid material could withstand the extremely high temperature of the plasma necessary for fusion to occur at around 150 million degrees Centigrade.
The construction of ITER, underway at Cadarache southern France, is the next exciting phase of an international fusion development programme to meet the world’s demand for clean and sustainable energy. It builds on the knowledge gathered from various global fusion energy projects including the Joint European Torus (JET) fusion reactor in Oxfordshire UK, where, almost thirty years ago, the first plasma was achieved by fusing light atoms.
Calling upon all of TWI’s technical specialisms and encompassing many metallic and composite materials, the support TWI will provide to F4E will include: engineering and materials studies; assessment and testing of joining technologies including destructive and non-destructive testing; specification of design and manufacturing procedures; failure analysis; technical audits; and ensuring appropriate certification, validation and qualification of all procedures and personnel involved in the build of components for the reactor.
TWI Chief Executive Christoph Wiesner commented, ‘TWI has supported fusion projects for over 30 years as the science has developed from concept into reality. The award of this contract by F4E recognises TWI’s unique expertise and independence in all aspects of materials joining technology, which are critical for the design and fabrication of the reactor components and ultimately to the success of the ITER project. TWI is very proud to play its part in this project which has a vital role in the world’s drive to secure sustainable, low carbon forms of power generation.’
For further information on the project please contact Sayee Raghunathan sayee.raghunathan@twi.co.uk
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Caption for photograph: Friction stir welding at TWI
Notes to Editors
Fusion for Energy
Fusion for Energy (F4E) is the European Union’s organisation for Europe’s contribution to ITER. One of the main tasks of F4E is to work together with European industry, SMEs and research organisations to develop and provide a wide range of high technology components together with engineering, maintenance and support services for the ITER project.
F4E supports fusion R&D initiatives through the Broader Approach Agreement signed with Japan and prepares for the construction of demonstration fusion reactors (DEMO).
F4E was created by a decision of the Council of the European Union as an independent legal entity and was established in April 2007 for a period of 35 years. Its offices are in Barcelona, Spain. The F4E press release on this award can be found here. http://www.fusionforenergy.europa.eu
ITER
ITER is a first-of-a-kind global collaboration. It will be the world's largest experimental fusion facility and is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power. Fusion is the process which powers the sun and the stars.
When light atomic nuclei fuse together to form heavier ones, a large amount of energy is released. Fusion research is aimed at developing a safe, limitless and environmentally responsible energy source.
Europe will contribute almost half of the costs of its construction, while the other six Members to this joint international venture (China, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the USA), will contribute equally to the rest.
The site of the ITER project is in Cadarache, in the South of France. http://www.iter.org/
About TWI
TWI is one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations, with expertise in solving problems in all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integrity management technologies.
Established at Abington, Cambridge, UK in 1946 and with several facilities across the globe, the company has a first class reputation for service though its teams of internationally respected consultants, scientists, engineers and support staff, whose knowledge and expertise are available to its Members as and when they require.
The company employs over 700 staff, serving 700 Member companies across 4500 sites in 80 countries.
TWI, Granta Park, Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AL. Tel: 01223 899000. Fax: 01223 892588. E-mail: twi@twi.co.uk. Web: www.twi.co.uk
04/12 catherine.condie@twi.co.uk 18/06/12
catherine.condie@twi.co.uk
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