Intertek provides quality assurance services for the ITER project
26 May 2016
Bilbao, Spain - Intertek, a leading quality assurance provider to industries worldwide, will deliver surveillance and quality assurance services to Fusion for Energy (F4E), the organization responsible for providing Europe’s contribution to ITER.ITER is a multinational scientific partnership that was established with the goal of proving the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy. The idea for an international joint fusion experiment was first launched in 1985 and since then thousands of engineers and scientists have contributed to ITER’s design.
The ITER project is based in southern France and involves the collaboration of 35 countries. When construction is complete the world’s largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device, will demonstrate the scientific and technological viability of fusion energy as a safe, unlimited and sustainable source of energy.
Intertek has been contracted to oversee the manufacturing process of ITER’s Toroidal Field (TF) coils according to technical specifications, management documentation and quality plans that were contractually approved by F4E. Each of ITER’s eighteen TF coils, responsible for confining ITER’s plasma inside its vacuum vessel, consist of a winding pack of radial plates and a protective shell of stainless steel. These TF coils are some of the largest to ever be manufactured and represent over one-fourth of the tokamak’s total weight. Manufacturing the TF coils is a complex process and requires unprecedented levels of accuracy to ensure that the coils are able to achieve their operational requirements.
Joaquin Saiz, Asset Integrity Management (AIM) Manager for Intertek in Spain, said: “We are delighted to participate with F4E in assuring the quality of the ITER project TF components. The TF coils are some of the largest and most superconductive magnets ever designed, and manufacturing these coils involves multiple agencies which can create logistical difficulties. Intertek will provide an integrated, systematic approach to ensure that the manufacturing process is successful. The ITER project is a momentous one, and we’re very proud to take part in it.”
For more Information:
• www.iter.org
• www.fusionforenergy.europa.eu/
About Fusion for Energy
F4E is the European Union’s joint undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy. The F4E organization was created under the Euratom Treaty by a decision of the Council of the European Union. F4E is responsible for providing Europe’s contribution to ITER, the world’s largest scientific partnership that aims to demonstrate fusion as a viable and sustainable source of energy. ITER brings together seven parties that represent half of the world’s population – the EU, Russia, Japan, China, India, South Korea and the United States. F4E also supports fusion research and development initiatives through the Broader Approach Agreement, signed with Japan – a fusion energy partnership which will last for 10 years. Ultimately, F4E will contribute towards the construction of demonstration fusion reactors.
The seat of F4E is in Barcelona, Spain. Visit: www.fusionforenergy.europa.eu
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 40,000 people in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers’ operations and supply chains.
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