Large components on their way
21 Nov 2016
Two shipments of "oversize" components for ITER's cryoplant are currently making their way to ITER. The first consists of two 35-metre long quench tanks procured by Europe. The tanks were first transported along the Elbe by barge from the Czech Republic where they were fabricated to Germany, before being loaded on board a shipping vessel in Hamburg.
Two 35-metre long quench tanks leave today for three nights along the ITER Itinerary. They are scheduled to reach ITER in the early hours of Thursday 24 November. © Emmanuel Bonici
One month later they reached the Mediterranean port of Fos-sur-Mer, where they were unloaded earlier this month and transported across the inland sea of Berre. They leave today for three nights along the ITER Itinerary, and are scheduled to reach ITER in the early hours of Thursday 24 November.
Two out of three "cold boxes" for the ITER cryoplant have left their fabrication site and will soon be loaded onto a sea-river vessel in Lyon. © AirLiquide - Laurent Lelong
The second shipment is made of slightly smaller loads procured by the ITER Organization—three 21-metre long "cold boxes" that house key components for ITER's liquid helium plants. They have left their fabrication site and will soon be loaded onto a sea-river vessel in Lyon to sail down the Rhône River all the way to Fos-sur-Mer. They will also travel along the ITER Itinerary, reaching ITER by mid-December.
Fully 90 percent of cryoplant components are expected on site by the end of the year to be stored until the building and technical areas become available for the start of installation activities.