Structural analysis of the ex-port plug collective thomson scattering transmission lines for ITER

Abstract

The main function of the Collective Thomson Scattering (CTS) diagnostic system for ITER is to diagnose the alpha particles resulting from Deuterium-Tritium fusion reactions. It consists of a microwave scattering diagnostic with a probing frequency of 60 GHz and emitted power of 1.2 MW from the gyrotron, with one launcher and nine receiver transmission lines. The CTS will be installed in the equatorial port EP#12, which is one of the ports that have to be operational for the ITER First Plasma. The transmission lines outside the Port Plug (Ex-PP) are routed through the Interspace, Port Cell, Gallery, Assembly Building and Diagnostic Building, reaching more than 100 m in length. The preliminary design of the ex-PP components is currently being undertaken in the framework of an Implementing Agreement between ITER Organization, the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) and CIEMAT. Within this collaboration, CIEMAT is responsible for the structural analyses and calculations required to ensure the structural integrity and performance of the preliminary design of the Ex-PP transmission line components, which will be summarized in this paper. In this work, the required analysis and calculations will be presented together with the redesign performed for the transmission lines in order to guarantee that their components will withstand the loads defined in the Ex-PP CTS Load Specifications. The evaluation of the structural integrity of the CTS Ex-PP components will be carried out in accordance with the 2007 RCC-MR Code for mechanical components in nuclear installations.