The European contribution to the procurement of the ITER Remote Handling systems

Abstract Fusion for Energy (F4E) will manage the European in-kind contribution of various remote handling (RH) systems for the maintenance of ITER components: (i) the divertor cassette movers, end effectors, manipulator arms and tooling; (ii) 50% of the transfer casks, in particular the air transfer systems and some in-cask devices; (iii) the in-vessel viewing and metrology system (IVVS); (iv) the Neutral Beam (NB) Cell crane, manipulator arms, tooling, Caesium Oven replacement tooling, NB source installation/removal trolley, auxiliary vehicles. A wide range of technologies is involved: special monorail crane, movers, manipulator arms, pipe cutting/welding tooling, special cameras, laser-based metrology devices, control systems, virtual reality. An important aspect to consider is the resistance to radiation levels that range from max ∼10 KGy/h for IVVS down to ∼1 Gy/h for the RH devices operating in the NB cell. Given the unprecedented complexity of the ITER maintenance scenario, a development strategy is being implemented that includes prototyping and testing of RH subsystems before proceeding with the final production for ITER. This paper presents an overview of the various procurement packages, the status of development for each of them, the validation and procurement strategy, including issues like radiation resistance and standardisation policy, and the organisational and managerial challenges in relation with the complex ITER Organisation (IO).