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CHIMERA will be the only machine in the world able to test components under the unique combination of conditions encountered in large fusion devices, such as ITER.

It is designed to address the specific engineering challenges associated with fusion and validate complex, bespoke and high-risk manufacturing.

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 1.67×0.96×0.46 m3
Testing chamber Vacuum, air or inert gas
Water cooling 30 – 328°C, up to 155 bar, up to 1000 litre/min
Surface heating

0.5MW/m2 over 1.67×0.46m2

20MW/m2 over 1500mm2  

Simulated volumetric heating 100kW  (future: 700 kW)
Static magnetic field (horizontal field) 4 Tesla central, up to 5 Tesla in the test vessel
Static magnet technology Split-pair LHe superconducting magnet with NbTi conductor
SC magnet Ramp-up/down time ~ 12 hours
Pulsed magnet (vertical field) Water cooled copper conductor
Magnetic impulse simulating plasma disruption dB/dt ~ 12 T/s

Contact

To find out how CHIMERA can assist your future projects contact info@chimera.ukaea.uk.

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