TCB on site at the ITER Research Project

ITER Tokamak Complex

Tension Control Bolts are very proud that our bolts are being installed in the reactor halls at ITER, an incredibly ambitious energy research project in Southern France. 35 nations are collaborating to build the world’s largest tokamak.

First developed by Soviet research in the late 1960s, the tokamak has been adopted around the world as the most promising configuration of a magnetic fusion device.

The ITER Tokamak will be the largest and most powerful fusion device in the world. Twice the size of the largest machine currently in operation, with ten times the plasma chamber volume.

In September, Tension Control Bolts visited ITER to provide installation support and training to Martifer Construction who have fabricated and will be erecting the steelwork.

The tokamak complex is a nuclear-rated structure primarily of reinforced concrete, but also with 7,500 tonnes of steelwork bolted together with TCBs.

TCB supporting Martifer Construction

TCBs have been specified for the very many quality and installation advantages they bring to site. For this project the quick speed of installation and inspection is also a bonus. To supply this project our bolts also had to meet the rigorous accreditation procedures for the prestigious and specific ITER nuclear approval.

Our TCBs are also to be deployed in the crane hall as well as the reactor hall. The crane hall will complete the tokamak building and provide a vast open space for the handling cranes to deliver components to the tokamak pit.

During the visit training to the steel erectors was provided and a technical presentation was given to the ITER design team members from VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Ferrovial Agroman.

For more information on the ITER research project, please visit http://www.iter.org