Experiences from the operation tests with the ITER model pump

Publisher Summary This chapter presents experimental study of an operation test with the ITER model pump. Within the development work for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the test bed TIMO (test facility for the ITER model pump) was built at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The aim of this test facility is to check the suitability of the 1:2 ITER torus model cryopump under all aspects of operation. This model pump is the result of extensive preliminary examinations focusing on different aspects of cryosorption vacuum pump operation in the ITER fuel cycle. To pump out the required plasma exhaust gas flow of 120 (Pa.m3)/s, which essentially consists of all mix hydrogen isotopes as well as helium and various impurities, the pump surfaces cooled to 5 K are coated with activated charcoal embedded in inorganic cement. The results of the NBI simulation tests demonstrate that the panel coating technology developed by Fomchungszentmm Karlsruhe can also be used for the ITER NBI pumps. The results of the heat load tests and the safety tests support the further development steps of the ITER cryopump system.