Capabilities
CHIMERA is designed to test metre scale prototype components in an environment representative of a fusion power plant, including those that will be exposed to the harshest conditions, such as the first wall, blanket, divertor and diagnostic systems.
CHIMERA will simultaneously subject components to:
- High temperatures
- High heat flux
- Static and pulsed magnetic loads
- Thermal cycling, fatigue, creep and other failure modes
- Under vacuum, air or inert gas
Components will be analysed using optical digital image correlation and laser metrology to map 3D surface deformations and damage. These and other techniques can be used to generate and synchronise component digital twins – predictive models and simulations that will be crucial to the design and qualification of future fusion power plants.
Key technical specifications
| Component size | Up to 1.7m x 0.5m x 0.7m |
| Testing chamber | Vacuum, air or inert gas |
| Water cooling | 200°, 15 bar – 385°, 155 bar |
| Surface heating | 0.5MW/m2 over 1m2 |
| Simulated volumetric heating | Power up to 100kW |
| Static magnetic field | 4 Tesla |
| Magnetic impulse simulating plasma disruption | dB/dt ~ 12 T/s |
| Static magnet (horizontal field) | Split-pair LHe superconducting magnet with NbTi conductor |
| Ramp-up/down time | ~ 8 hours |
| Pulsed magnet (vertical field) | Water cooled copper conductor |
Contact
CHIMERA will be operational in 2022. To find out how it can assist your future projects contact info@chimera.ukaea.uk.
