The first batch of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) magnet supporting products developed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) was officially delivered in Zunyi, Guizhou province on June 9.

The product will be shipped to France’s ITER site, making it the first batch of fundamental components entering the factory and being installed.

As one crucial part for the ITER inner structural safety, the product is designed to support the magnets, the core device of the entire ITER, and its quality and development are related to the operational stability and assembly progress of the ITER.

It is independently developed and manufactured completely in China, allowing the country to become the first in delivering batches of core products for ITER project.

The R&D task of ITER magnet props is undertaken by Southwestern Institute of Physics, a subsidiary of CNNC, mainly focusing on three aspects including gravity support (GS), poloidal field coil support (PFCS) and calibration coil support (CCS).

This time the institute delivered 18 sets of PFCS-5 and the first set of GS, PFCS-3 and PFCS-4 products.

The magnet not only shoulders the weight of 10,000-ton magnet system, but also bears the enormous pulse electromagnetic force and strong thermal stress generated under extreme conditions.

The poor working environment determines high requirements for the design and manufacturing of magnet supporting products.

Southwestern Institute of Physics and several technological companies have worked together as a team over the past eight years, accomplishing the serial certifications from materials to manufacturing workmanship, and the manufacturing tasks of the ITER magnet supporting procurement package.

They have achieved major breakthroughs in a number of key technologies, and have eventually been recognized by ITER international organizations. 

The project contributes to China’s solutions for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the sustainable human development for the future.