CHIMERA

CHIMERA will be the only machine in the world able to test components under the unique combination of conditions encountered in large fusion devices, such as ITER.

Overview

Combined Heating and Magnetic Research Apparatus (CHIMERA) is a unique component loading machine, designed to test metre scale prototype components in an environment representative of a fusion power plant. This including those exposed to the harshest conditions, such as the first wall, blanket, divertor and diagnostic systems.

CHIMERA addresses the specific engineering challenges associated with fusion energy and validates complex, bespoke and high-risk manufacturing.

Capabilities

CHIMERA will simultaneously subject components to:

• high temperatures
• high heat flux
• static and pulsed magnetic loads
• thermal cycling, fatigue, creep and other failure modes
• under vacuum, air or inert gas.

Optical digital image correlation and laser metrology maps 3D surface deformations and damage to components. CHIMERA uses these and other techniques to generate and synchronise component digital twins – predictive models and simulations that will be crucial to the design and qualification of future fusion power plants.

Technical specifications

• Component size: Up to 1.67×0.96×0.46 m³
• Testing chamber: Vacuum, air or inert gas
• Water cooling: 30 – 328°C, up to 155 bar, up to 1000 litre/min
• Surface heating:
  • 0.5MW/m² over 1.67×0.46m²
  • 20MW/m² over 1500mm²  
• Simulated volumetric heating: 100kW  (future: 700 kW)
• Static magnetic field (horizontal field): 4 Tesla central, up to 5 Tesla in the test vessel
• Static magnet technology: Split-pair LHe superconducting magnet with NbTi conductor
• SC magnet Ramp-up/down time: ~ 12 hours
• Pulsed magnet (vertical field): Water cooled copper conductor
• Magnetic impulse simulating plasma disruption: dB/dt ~ 12 T/s