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Cryodistribution

One more link in the chain

11 Dec 2023

Providing cryogenic fluids to the superconducting magnets, cryopumps and other "clients" in the ITER machine requires a sophisticated distribution system that ramifies to deliver the cryoplant-originating fluids to their final destinations. Last week, three of the key distribution components, the auxiliary cold boxes, were lifted from the Assembly Hall and positioned inside the Tokamak Building prior to their final installation.

ACB_Cold_Box_4.jpg
The first of the five auxiliary cold boxes required to distribute cooling fluids to different "clients" inside the machine was transferred to the Tokamak Building on 1 December.

There will be a sum total of five auxiliary cold boxes, all located at Level 3 of the Tokamak Building. Procured by India and designed and manufactured by Linde Kryotechnik AG in Switzerland, the 28-tonne components act like dispatchers, receiving the different fluids from the cryogenic termination cold box located inside the cryoplant and redistributing them throughout the ITER machine. Three have now been delivered; two others are expected next year.

Each of the auxiliary cold boxes serves a specific client, either cryopumps, magnet coils (toroidal field, central solenoid, poloidal field or correction), or magnet supporting structures. Looking like giant cylindrical boilers, the auxiliary cold boxes accommodate a complex network of piping, valves, cryogenic rotating machines, liquid helium phase separators and heat exchangers.

Last week's operation marked an important milestone in the linking of the cryoplant to the Tokamak Building. From producer to consumer, by way of the cryogenic termination cold box and a pair of massive cryolines that will transport the cryogenic fluids over a bridge connecting the two buildings, circuit installation is now progressing steadily.

ACB_stored_prior to install_1.jpg
Pending their final installation, three auxiliary cold boxes are now pre-positioned in the gallery at Level 3 of the Tokamak Building.

Each of the auxiliary cold boxes serves a specific client, either cryopumps, magnet coils (toroidal field, central solenoid, poloidal field or correction), or magnet supporting structures. Looking like giant cylindrical boilers, the auxiliary cold boxes accommodate a complex network of piping, valves, cryogenic rotating machines, liquid helium phase separators and heat exchangers.

Last week's operation marked an important milestone in the linking of the cryoplant to the Tokamak Building. From producer to consumer, by way of the cryogenic termination cold box and a pair of massive cryolines that will transport the cryogenic fluids over a bridge connecting the two buildings, circuit installation is now progressing steadily.

The load will travel approximately 60 metres before passing over the wall that separates the Assembly Hall from the Tokamak assembly pit.
Dozens of connections, large and small, protrude from the boiler-like component.
Sitting on the transport trailer, the 28-tonne load is being readied for lifting.
On Friday 1 December, the first of the auxiliary cold boxes passes through the large opening adjacent to the Tokamak assembly pit.
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