Nuclear fusion energy promises to be an additional alternative when it comes to electricity production free from greenhouse gas emissions.
This has meant that various countries are collectively developing a (ITER) fusion reactor, aiming to prove the technical viability of this type of energy. This is something which Tecnatom and others have been working towards for years.
ITER Project – Vacuum Vessel
Within this framework, the ITER Project –Vacuum Vessel, has been gaining momentum over the last few years and continues to advance, achieving feat after feat in its planning. The seed of this project was planted in 2011, and since then Tecnatom has been taking part in various activities with the aim of future consolidation.
Recently, as an international reference in Non-destructive testing (NDT), we have reached the following milestones:
- Ultrasound testing (UT) of the components manufactured by the company MAN Diesel & Turbo (Deggendorf, Germany) for the consortium AMW (Ansaldo, Mangiarotti and Walter Tosto).
- Classification of special cases for butt weld KD welds and BR80P60 (T-joints).
- Training on CA welds (T-joints) at the AMW consortium and at the Mangiarotti facilities (Monfalcone, Italy), supporting the company in its first production inspections.
Tecnatom and its experience with the ITER project
Tecnatom has recently been awarded a new contract by the ITER Organization (IO) to analyse and confirm ultrasound testing (UT) records provided by the South Korean company HHI (Hyundai Heavy Industries).
Additionally, Tecnatom has also been awarded another contract to refine and validate the structural design criteria of Lip Welded Seals, which are compound sealed welds between stainless steel components.
These welds are made on the Port Plugs connected to the Vacuum Vessel. To carry out this work Tecnatom operates alongside the Spanish laboratory AIMEN, specialists in fatigue and fracture testing.
With over 9 years of experience on the ITER project, Tecnatom continues to work towards the development of this energy source which will enable stable, secure and sustainable mass energy production, helping humanity to continue to advance without the emission of greenhouse gases.
