The European Supplied Components of the ITER Vacuum Pumping Systems

The ITER Vacuum Pumping systems are designed to pump hydrogen isotopes, including tritium, helium and impurities. The EU is responsible for the in-kind supply of 8 torus-, 2 cryostat-, 3 Heating Neutral Beam- (HNB) and 1 Diagnostic Neutral Beam- (DNB) cryopumps, their 14 Cold Valve Boxes (CVBs) and the cryolines between them as well as the Leak Detection and Localization (LD&L) systems. The design of these systems has progressed well in the past with the exception of LD&L, where the results of a significant R&D program are required to define the design. The torus and cryostat cryopumps incorporate an inlet vacuum valve capable of controlling the pumping speed and require to be sufficiently instrumented for performance and inventory control. In order to fully define the related Procurement Arrangements (PA) and minimize any technological, programmatic or cost risks, a 1:1 Pre-Production cryopump (PPC) has been planned to be built and tested as well as a series of necessary R&D activities will need to be performed. These activities will address all technological challenges, specify the instrumentation needs of these Vacuum Pumping systems and analyze their performance, incorporating also all safety provisions and remote handling requirements.