Progress on the PF1 poloidal field magnet

In an important manufacturing milestone for Russia and Europe, the first two 414-metre production lengths of conductor for poloidal field magnet #1 (PF1) have been successfully manufactured.

 

On 5 August and 3 September, poloidal field cable manufactured in Russia underwent all of the phases of jacketing and compaction at the Criotec facility in Italy. Destined for spooling into the PF1 magnet, the jacketed conductor will be returned after necessary tests to the Efremov Institute in Saint Petersburg, where magnet manufacturing will take place. Criotec specialists have already begun welding activities on the metal jacket of a third conductor length for Russia prior to its compaction.

 

This cross-border cooperation is part of a Procurement Implementation Agreement signed between Europe and Russia that stipulates that the Russia will manufacture the niobium-titanium (NbTi) superconducting strand and cables for both the Russian and European poloidal field conductor lengths (26 lengths for Russia and 10 for Europe), while Europe will jacket both the Russian and European poloidal field cables.

 

In compliance with procedure, qualification samples were cut from both jacketed lengths for testing at the SULTAN facility (CRPP, Switzerland). Testing of the first qualification sample is planned for November 2014.

 

The first poloidal field conductor length for PF1 has already passed final tests in the vacuum chamber. The conductor will be delivered to the Efremov Institute by the end of 2014, where spooling activities for the first double pancake will start in 2015. Russia will complete the poloidal field conductors for PF1 by the end of 2016.