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Manufacturing milestone

All 8 cryopumps received

7 Apr 2025

The final cryopump for ITER has been successfully manufactured, factory acceptance tested, and delivered to the ITER site. All eight torus and cryostat cryopumps are now on site. 

Holding coconuts and a coconut-charcoal-coated cryopanel, from left to right: Eric Giguet (Sales Director Alsymex-Alcen), Michael Pekeler (Managing Director Research Instruments), Robert Pearce (ITER), Francina Canadel (Technical Responsible Officer, Fusion for Energy), and Joerg Zeutschel (Research Instruments).

ITER’s Robert Pearce, who has been involved with engineering cryopumps for fusion for the past 34 years, called the achievement “a major milestone for the project” and the result of years of dedication and effective collaboration between the ITER Organization, the European Domestic Agency Fusion for Energy (F4E), and European contractors Research Instruments and Alsymex. “This significant accomplishment showcases the dedication and expertise of all those involved.”

The cryopumps play a crucial role in ITER’s vacuum system, ensuring that the ultra-high vacuum conditions necessary for plasma confinement are maintained. These sophisticated components operate at cryogenic temperatures to capture gas molecules, allowing for the efficient removal of impurities and the creation of the optimal environment for fusion reactions. The 800-millimetre-in-diameter all-metal valve at the front of the cryopumps allows them to operate in sequence together allowing continuous fusion operations. For such valves to operate successfully requires them to be manufactured to the very highest standards, which includes precision engineering, rigorous testing, and strict quality control. 

Demonstration at Research Instruments of the eighth cryopump’s all-metal valve.

Amidst the gleaming steel and cryogenic brilliance of an ITER cryopump lies an unsung hero—the humble coconut! The cryopumps use activated charcoal coatings for cryo-sorption, and one of the best charcoals for pumping the helium exhaust waste from the fusion reaction is derived from coconut husks. This natural material with its exceptional porosity and adsorption properties, proves more effective than synthetic alternatives.  While coconuts may conjure images of island vacations, at ITER, the charcoal at the heart of the cryopump will play a critical role in maintaining the vacuum needed for fusion reactions. 

Coconuts and cutting-edge fusion technology—an unlikely duo, yet a perfect match. ITER’s Robert Pearce presents Eric Giguet from Alsymex-Alcen with a coconut in appreciation of the successful manufacturing of eight torus and cryostat cryopumps for ITER.

During manufacturing the cryopumps are tested down to 80 K. Delivery to ITER—well before their installation date—provides the opportunity to test a number of units down to 4.5 K at ITER’s new cryopump test facility, which is in its final stages of commissioning.  

Congratulations to the whole team who worked exceptionally well together to achieve this important milestone.

The last cryopump has arrived at ITER. A number of units will be tested down to 4.5 K in ITER’s new cryopump test facility.

See a related article on the Fusion for Energy website.

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