Remote handling strategy and prototype tooling of the ITER vacuum vessel pressure suppression system bleed line valve assembly and rupture disk assembly

As part of the development work performed under the ITER Robotic Test Facility (IRTF) program, development and substantiation of the maintenance strategy for the Vacuum Vessel Pressure Suppression System (VVPSS) must be investigated. The VVPSS is a key safety aspect of the vacuum vessel of ITER. It ensures that after a coolant leak, and subsequent pressure event, the vessel is protected from the expanding gasses by controlling and venting them appropriately. After an Ingress of Coolant Event (ICE), or during maintenance, the bleed line valve and rupture disk assemblies will require removal and replacement. During removal the confinement function of vessel must be retained. The remote handling of these components while maintaining the first confinement boundary is challenging due to the access restrictions around the pipe flange and environmental conditions in the area. To understand and develop the remote handling strategy for ITER, prototype tooling a mock-up environment has been created. This allows development and confidence in the proposed maintenance strategy leading to the final solution for use at ITER. In this paper we will discuss the prototype tests, the strategies and challenges which need to be overcome for the ITER application, and design considerations that must be taken to future designs to achieve a feasible solution for ITER.