Tokamak Fusion Core Experiment Maintenance Study

The recently completed Tokamak Fusion Core Experiment (TFCX) design project investigated potential “next generation” tokamak concepts. An important early development of the design was the incorporation of remote maintainability. Early coordination and incorporation of maintenance aspects to the design of the device and facilities will ensure that the machine can ultimately be maintained and repaired efficiently and cost effectively. A rigorously formatted engineering trade study was performed to determine the preferred configuration for the TFCX reactor based primarily on maintenance requirements. The study indicates a preferred design with an external vacuum vessel and torodial field coils that can be removed by simple radial motion. The trade study is presented and the preferred TFCX configuration is described.