Fusion for Energy: Corrosion assessment for water cooled components

Corrosion assessment for water cooled components

The European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy, (hereinafter “Fusion for Energy” or “F4E” or “the Joint Undertaking”) is a joint undertaking created under the Euratom Treaty by a decision of the Council of the European Union 1. It provides the contribution of Euratom to the ITER international fusion organisation, e.g. with regard to scientific and technological research and development activities.

Specific Details on this Action
Corrosion is by far the most significant factor causing long downtimes and high cost for nuclear reactor systems. This is a concern for all cooling water systems in ITER as for example the Vacuum Vessel, the First Wall/Blankets and the Divertor. The aim of this work is to make an assessment of materials data under ITER relevant operational conditions. Experimental work shall be carried out by using tailor made methods in autoclaves in a test laboratory. The purpose of collecting the materials corrosion data is to increase the preparedness for future situations with corrosion problems and to collect unique data that gives guidelines for the operation of the primary heat transfer systems.

These experimental studies will simulate the effect of repeated drying-refilling-operation of the ITER components and provide the characteristics of corrosion attacks due to accumulation of impurities in the crevices present in the water cooled components. This study will also support decisions of preventative actions during the future operation of ITER. Material specimens foreseen for the Vacuum Vessel, the Divertor and the First Wall shall be inserted into separate autoclaves designed for either the Vacuum Vessel (based on stainless steels) and the First Wall and Divertor (allowing copper alloys).