Remote maintenance requirements and approach for the FIRE project

The Fusion Ignition Research Experiment (FIRE) in-vessel components must be remotely maintained due to neutron activation. Components that require remote maintenance include plasma facing components and the assemblies containing ancillary systems mounted in the vacuum vessel ports. Hands-on access and maintenance of FIRE ex-vessel components are possible due to the radiation shielding provided by the reactor components and structure. Remote maintenance is accomplished by removing the affected components from the vessel and transferring them to the hot cell facility for refurbishment or waste processing, followed by replacement of the components. Remote handling of the components is performed with robotic systems that operate from within sealed transfer casks for contamination control purposes. The casks also serve to shuttle the components to and from the hot cell. In-vessel components are designed for relative ease and speed of remote maintenance depending on their anticipated frequency of maintenance. Preliminary estimates of the time required to complete key maintenance operations have been made.