Worksite progress
A changing panorama
4 Sep 2023
New "bridges" spanning the main boulevard of the ITER platform, massive structures progressively donning their final attire, buildings in the last stages of civil works rising like pyramids ... thirteen years into construction, the ITER scientific installation is acquiring its near-final appearance. Despite the heat waves of July and August, progress made over the summer is observable in every corner. Some of it is spectacular, some of it barely perceptible but no less significant.
Despite the heat waves of July and August, progress made over the summer is observable in every corner of the ITER platform. With the latest changes to its panorama, the scientific installation gets closer and closer to its final appearance. The last major addition to the construction platform will be the Hot Cell Facility.
For a full visual tour, view the photo gallery below.
Neutral beam buildings
Two new buildings have taken their place in front of the Tokamak Complex, especially noticeable now that they have been covered in black and silver cladding. The neutral beam power supply buildings (right half of the frame) will accommodate the electrical installation that feeds the ITER neutral beam injection system.
Sector module #7
The next step will be to "down-end" the two D-shaped coils on the wings in order to have a fully accessible vacuum vessel sector ready for bevel repairs. Repairing vacuum vessel non-conformities will involve either depositing material to fill in gaps (followed by machining) or machining "hills" to return to the required specifications.
Sector module #8
Vacuum vessel sector #8, seen here in a horizontal position, was removed from tooling when it became evident that sector #6 (already in the pit) would need to be removed and repaired alongside sector #7. Sector #8 will be repaired horizontally in the former Cryostat Workshop.
Sector module #7
Disassembly of sector module #7 is well advanced; thermal shield panels have been removed and toroidal field coils have been dissociated. In this striking view taken from under the tool, the sector's "underbelly" is clearly visible, as are the toroidal field coils on either side in the tool "wings."
Inside the cryobridge
In order to connect the cryolines coming from the cryoplant to those already installed in the Tokamak Building, the cryobridge runs for 130 metres, first crossing the boulevard and then making a sharp left turn to run along the Assembly Hall. This employee is inside the cryobridge, walking towards the cryoplant.
Bridges
Three large "racks," more commonly referred to as "bridges," span the distance between the buildings on the right side of the main boulevard and the Tokamak Complex. The closest, the cryobridge, is ready for equipment. Behind it are the steel structures of two busbar bridges—massive racks that will support the aluminium busbars that deliver power from the Magnet Power Conversion buildings to the magnet system.
Control Building
Contractors are advancing finishing works and the installation of building services in the Control Building, while the ITER Organization is installing equipment in some areas. In the main control room (pictured, 43 m x 18 m), the large display screens will be installed on the left wall, while viewers will get a glimpse of how ITER's "brain" operates from the viewing gallery at the far end.
Tritium Building
Civil works on the seven-storey Tritium Building are nearly complete and the tall cranes will soon be dismantled. Teams are working on the last level, L5, to complete all kinds of finishing works, including waterproofing.
Poloidal field coil #4
On 8 August, poloidal field coil #4 (PF4) was removed from the facility where it was manufactured to be placed in storage nearby. A European contribution, this 24-metre-in-diameter coil was two years in the making. Only PF3, just as large, remains to be finalized.