Support and transport - that's what cryostat frames are for

Indian contractor Larsen & Toubro has completed the welding, non-destructive examination and trial assembly of this 30-metre transportation frame for the ITER cryostat. It will now be disassembled and shipped in sections to the ITER site.

 

Three steel frames like this will be necessary to support components, jigs and fixtures during the cryostat assembly process. The 30 x 30 metre assembly platforms will also act as transporters for the completed cryostat sections.

 

The first-completed section, the cryostat base, will be stored in the on-site Cryostat Workshop and later transported to the Assembly Hall cleaning facility and, beyond, to installation in the Tokamak Pit. The lower and upper cylinders will be stored on the platform on their frames until needed for in-pit assembly.

 

The fourth segment of the cryostat—the top lid—will most probably be assembled on the frame that had originally served the cryostat base.