en.Wedoany.com Reported - On April 10 local time, at the headquarters of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Organization in Cadarache, southern France, a consortium formed by Dongfang Heavy Machinery, a subsidiary of China's Dongfang Electric Group, and the Southwestern Institute of Physics under the Nuclear Industry Corporation officially signed a contract with the ITER Organization for the trial production and manufacturing of the ITER Test Blanket Module Port Plug (TBM-PP) Frame and the Test Blanket Module Dummy (TBM-Dummy). Following the successful delivery of key equipment such as magnet supports and blanket shield modules, this contract marks another core project secured by Dongfang Electric in the international frontier field of fusion equipment, fully demonstrating the company's profound expertise in complex system integration and precision manufacturing.
The ITER project, known as the world's largest "artificial sun," is one of the most significant and far-reaching international mega-science projects currently underway. Jointly implemented by China, the European Union, Japan, Korea, Russia, and others, it aims to simulate the nuclear fusion process inside the sun and explore the scientific and engineering feasibility of fusion energy for power generation. As a crucial component of new quality productive forces, controllable nuclear fusion offers numerous advantages such as being virtually limitless, economical, schedulable, clean, and safe, making it one of the vital pathways to addressing energy and environmental challenges. In 2006, China joined the project as an "equal partner," undertaking the development of 18 key components, accounting for approximately 9% of the total tasks.
Over the years, Dongfang Electric has consistently upheld its commitments, earning international acclaim through high-quality deliveries.
In November 2023, Dongfang Electric successfully delivered 18 sets of Poloidal Field Coil PFCS3-4 Hanging Beams for the ITER project. This achievement successfully overcame key core technologies in magnet support development, resolving technical challenges such as welding deformation control of ultra-thick, ultra-low carbon, nitrogen-controlled stainless steel forgings, ensuring low-temperature mechanical properties (especially fracture toughness), machining threaded holes in confined spaces, and high-precision reference and interface machining. This effort resulted in the comprehensive mastery of the manufacturing technology for this product.
In November 2024, the blanket shield module manufactured by Dongfang Electric achieved a world-first. This accomplishment conquered internationally leading key technologies, including the machining technology for three-dimensional, large aspect-ratio, spatially angled intersecting hole systems, and high-precision helium leak detection technology in high-temperature vacuum environments.
The newly contracted TBM-PP Frame and TBM-Dummy are core components of the ITER Test Blanket Module (TBM) project. They belong to the internal components of the ITER vacuum vessel, are part of the plasma-facing components and the ITER vacuum boundary, and hold the highest safety, vacuum, and quality classifications within the ITER project. During operation, they perform critical functions such as neutron shielding and structural support. They represent a crucial link in the engineering validation of fusion reactors and are currently a focal point and challenge in international fusion energy technology research.
Moving forward, Dongfang Electric will continue to leverage its technical prowess and advantages in the field of major equipment manufacturing. It will deeply integrate into the national science and technology innovation system, remain mindful of its overarching national responsibilities, proactively serve national strategies, and contribute more "Dongfang" strength to accelerating the independent development of major scientific research equipment for controllable nuclear fusion and supporting the achievement of the "dual carbon" strategic goals.
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