Remote Handling and Maintenance of ITER In-Vessel Components

ITER in-vessel components must be remotely handled and maintained due to their neutron activation. Components requiring regularly scheduled maintenance include the blanket shield modules, divertor cassettes and the various ancillary systems mounted in the vacuum vessel (VV) ports. Maintenance is predominantly performed by removing the component from the VV and transferring it to the hot cell facility where it is repaired or processed as waste. Component transfer, as well as remote handling (RH) equipment deployment, is performed with sealed transfer casks that are capable of connecting to the VV ports and hot cell while maintaining containment. An overview of the in-vessel remote maintenance requirements, techniques and equipment is presented.