2008

Karttunen, Seppo; Nora, Markus

This report summarises the activities and results of the fusion energy research carried out by the Research Unit of the Association Euratom-Tekes in 2007. Fusion research covers both physics and technology. Approximately one third of research volume is in physics and two thirds in technology. The University of Tartu joined the Tekes Association in 2007 and Estonia provides now a contribution to the European Fusion Programme in plasma-wall studies and wall diagnostics. Our highest priority in the fusion physics work is a participation in the EFDA JET work programmes and experimental campaigns. The main emphasis of the work is in simulations of tokamak transport experiments by predictive integrated codes, modelling of radio-frequency heating experiments and fast particles studies. The supporting theoretical work on turbulent transport and edge plasmas and related code development has proceeded well, too. Plasma-wall studies including coatings and material transport in the scrape-off-layer provide another important contribution to the JET programme. Upgrading of the JET neutral particle analyser (NPA) and development of micromechanical magnetometer are the main diagnostics activities of the Association Euratom-Tekes. The work of the Tekes Association in ITER technology was strongly focused into vessel/in-vessel materials and remote handling studies and was partly carried out in close collaboration with Finnish industry. The main activity was to prepare hosting of the ITER divertor test platform (DTP2) at VTT. The basic DTP2 steel structure was completed, control systems are tested and one full size cassette mock-up is delivered by industry. The test runs will start as soon as the multifunctional mover is ready and arrives at VTT. Other activities in remote maintenance systems include water hydraulic manipulators and tools for the ITER divertor maintenance and virtual modelling of remote handling operations. Advanced fabrication methods for ITER vacuum vessel as well as prototyping of intersector welding and cutting robot may provide considerable savings in VV manufacturing. A second domain of fusion technology covers research and characterisation of first wall materials, in-reactor mechanical testing of reactor materials under neutron irradiation, studies of joining and welding methods. Some effort was devoted to simulations of radiation damage mechanisms in FeCr. Socio-economic studies dealt with global energy modelling issues.