This department is responsible for the operation, maintenance, experimentation and development of the Tore Supra tokamak (in WEST configuration) and the development of its basic systems.
These activities include :
- the operational management of the experimental sessions;
- assembly, fitting and removal of components inside and outside the machine’s vacuum chamber, in conjunction with the various IRFM groups;
- controlling access to restricted areas in the Tore Supra facility classified for environmental protection (ICPE), and managing nuclear materials for the institute;
- technical support for the institute’s other platforms, mainly in the fields of mechanics, vacuum, standard fluid distribution (water, nitrogen, compressed air) and cryogenics, electrical engineering, data acquisition and command and control;
- participation in various major projects in the department’s areas of expertise.
This department comprises 6 groups
The Machine, Assembly and Qualification Group
This group is responsible for the preparation and assembly of mechanical components for the WEST tokamak, as well as mechanically welded assemblies, metrology and ultra-high vacuum qualifications. It monitors the platform structures and validates their watertightness. It also manages, among other things, the operation of the AIA robotic system for inspecting internal elements facing the plasma.
The Superconducting AIMants Group
This group monitors the operation of the WEST superconducting magnet (analysis of operating tests and any incidents). It provides support for superconducting magnet projects (JT-60 SA, ITER, etc.) It designs and carries out samples and tests (strand, cable) in cryomagnetic stations. You will be responsible for the maintenance and operation of cryomagnetic stations.
The Steering and Material Supply Group
The general mission of this group is to manage plasma discharges. Its main tasks are the design and implementation of plasma control systems and the preparation and operational management of plasma experiments. It is responsible for supplying the plasma discharge with material and for operational diagnostics (magnetic, gas, neutron and visible camera measurements). It manages the vacuum chamber conditioning and provides assistance with nuclear measurements and radiation protection (for the Installation Manager).
Electronics and Procurement Group
This group is responsible for developing the acquisition units (hardware and generic software). It is also responsible for developing the real-time execution environment, editors for setting plasma discharge parameters, and shock supervision tools.
This group is responsible for managing and upgrading the programmable logic controller (PLC) installed base, while providing assistance to users. It is also responsible for managing electronic standards for acquisition chains, providing technical support to users. Finally, it is involved in the development of electronic projects and data acquisition activities.
The Auxiliary Machine Systems Group
This group is responsible for operating, maintaining and upgrading the auxiliary systems needed to operate the WEST Tokamak and associated test benches: refrigeration loops, electrotechnical equipment, cryogenic installation, vacuum pumping devices, toroidal coils and control network.
It is also responsible for producing industrial water for the site: osmosis water (open secondary loop), demineralised water (closed loops) and deaerated water (superheated loops), converting the high electrical power needed for WEST’s additional magnets and heaters, and finally distributing fluids: helium, air, nitrogen, industrial water, LV and HV electricity.
The Safety, Installation and Operations Group
Waiting for the descriptive text of the group
