Rationalization and utilization of double-wall vacuum vessel for tokamak fusion facility

Nakahira, Masataka

JAERI-Research 2005-030, 182 Pages, 2005/09

JAERI-Research-2005-030.pdf:12.57MB

It is difficult for Vacuum Vessel (VV) of ITER to apply a non-destructive in-service inspection (ISI) and then new safety concept is needed. Present fabrication standards are not applicable to the VV, because the access is limited to the backside of closure weld of double wall. Fabrication tolerance of VV is 5mm even the structure is huge as high as 10m. This accuracy requires a rational method on the estimation of welding deformation. In this report, an inherent safety feature of the tokamak is proved closing up a special characteristic of termination of fusion reaction due to tiny water leak. A rational concept not to require ISI without sacrificing safety is shown based on this result. A partial penetration T-welded joint is proposed to establish a rational fabrication method of double wall. Strength and susceptibility to crevice corrosion is evaluated for this joint and feasibility is confirmed. A rational method of estimation of welding deformation for large and complex structure is proposed and the efficiency is shown by comparing analysis experimental results of full-scale test.

Structural safety assessment of a tokamak-type fusion facility for a through crack to cause cooling water leakage and plasma disruption

Nakahira, Masataka

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 41(2), p.226 - 234, 2004/02

https://doi.org/10.3327/jnst.41.226

A tokamak-type fusion machine is said to have inherent safety associated with plasma shutdown. A small leak of water can terminate the plasma safely and can cause a plasma disruption which will induce electromagnetic(EM) forces in the vacuum vessel (VV). From a radiological safety view point, the VV forms the physical barrier that encloses tritium and activated dust. If the VV can sustain an unstable fracture by EM forces from a through crack to cause the leak, the structural safety will be assured and the inherent safety will be demonstrated. Therefore, a systematic approach to assure the structural safety is developed. A new analytical model to evaluate the through crack and leak is proposed, with verification by experiment. Based on the analyses, the critical crack length to terminate plasma is evaluated as about 2 mm, and the critical crack length for unstable fracture is obtained as about 400 mm. It is therefore concluded that EM forces induced by small leak to terminate plasma will not cause the unstable fracture of VV, and then the inherent safety is demonstrated.