Assystem wins contract for final phase 1 design of ITER project
11 Feb 2020
Assystem, has won the contract for the final design of phase 1 as well as prototype testing for the world’s largest fusion energy device’s Divertor Remote Handling System (DRHS).
The DRHS is one of the first remote handling systems to be provided as part of the European contribution to the ITER project now being constructed in Cadarache, France.
It is being led by Fusion For Energy (F4E), the EU organisation responsible for Europe’s involvement in the project.
The divertor design involves the application of industrial expertise to fusion projects including systems engineering approach, design for safety, rescue and recovery and reliability including radiation hardening.
Technical leader Stephen McTeer explained:
“This will be the largest fusion device ever developed. It is a harsh irradiated environment requiring regular maintenance and once it begins deuterium-tritium operations in 2035, the only safe way of entering the reactor will be with remotely operated machines and tools.”
Successful production of electricity through fusion has been elusive for decades, but ITER is projected to achieve this by 2025,replicating the process which powers the sun.
“The technical complexity of the DRHS project is simultaneously challenging and rewarding,” said McTeer.
“It’s the kind of opportunity that only presents itself once-in-a-lifetime and therefore is hugely significant in terms of developing the next generation of fusion engineers.”
Assystem successfully completed the preliminary design of the DRHS in the first quarter of 2019.
