29th Symposium on Fusion Technology (SOFT 2016)

P2.130 Analysis and experimental justification of electrical connector for ITER blanket module

6 Sep 2016, 14:20

1h 40m

Foyer 2A (2nd floor), 3A (3rd floor) (Prague Congress Centre)

Board: 130

Poster G. Vessel/In-Vessel Engineering and Remote Handling P2 Poster session

Speaker

Ivan Poddubnyi (JSC "NIKIET")

Description

In ITER blanket system, electrical connectors (“E–straps”, ES) are used to form a low impedance electrical path from shield blocks (SB) to the vacuum vessel (VV). Main functions of ES is providing current from SB to VV. ES shall withstand electromagnetic (EM) loads and Joule heating resulted from electrical current with magnitude up to 137 kA during 300 ms, accommodate cyclic relative displacements SB-to-VV and operate in harsh environment: neutron radiation, thermal cycling and high vacuum. In line with Technical Specification to Procurement Agreement (PA) 1.6.P3.RF.01.0 on Blanket Module Connections (BMC) the ES is manufactured by assembling of identical Z-shaped plates (lamellas) with spacers between them and thick plates at each extremity lamellas joined together by brazing or mechanically by studs ensuring good electrical contact. Manufacturing of the ES from one solid blank by electrical discharge machining (EDM) has been developed and proposed by NIKIET instead of the assembling from separate parts. EDM method enables to avoid the shortcomings inherent to the ES reference design made from formed plates. This paper presents design and analyses efforts applied on development of ES made of solid blank. Patterns of temperature, EM loads and stress-strain state, accumulated fatigue damages have been found with numerical simulations for all specified loading conditions. Strength assessment shows that current design of ES meets the applicable design code: structural design criteria for in-vessel components (SDC-IC). Results of electrical and cyclic mechanical tests at temperature are presented in this paper.