Image of the week
2nd central solenoid module on its way
11 Oct 2021
A second module for the ITER central solenoid, the "most powerful magnet in the world," is on its way to ITER.
The 110-tonne module is one of the three "lower modules" of the six-module central solenoid. It is seen here as it is about to cross the inland sea Étang de Berre aboard a specially designed barge. The load is expected at ITER on Thursday 14 October.
Procured by US ITER and manufactured by General Atomics in San Diego, California, the 110-tonne element was transported by road to Houston, Texas, and loaded on an ocean-faring vessel on 17 September 2021.
The load was received in France at Fos-sur-Mer harbour on 6 October, placed on a trailer, and brought aboard a barge to cross the inland sea Étang de Berre.
The superconducting magnet will now travel by convoy across Provence on the ITER Itinerary before passing through the ITER gates on Thursday 14 October—just one month after the first module reached the construction site on 9 September.
The tall central solenoid magnet—18 metres in height, 1,000 tonnes—will be assembled at ITER from six individual modules and a strong supporting structure.