ASME Division IV Magnetic Confinement Fusion Energy Devices

Abstract

There is an on-going effort within the ASME Section III Codes and Standards organization approved by the ASME Board of Nuclear Codes and Standards to develop rules for the construction of fusion-energy-related components such as vacuum vessel, cryostat and superconductor structures and their interaction with each other. These rules will be found in Division IV of Section III entitled “Magnetic Confinement Fusion Energy Devices (BPV III)”. Other related support structures, including metallic and non-metallic materials, containment or confinement structures, fusion-system piping, vessels, valves, pumps, and supports will also be covered. The rules shall contain requirements for materials, design, fabrication, testing, examination, inspection, certification, and stamping. The formation of a new Work Group Fusion Energy Devices that will develop these rules is just beginning to develop its membership and future working group support structures.

Materials-related issues in the safety and licensing of nuclear fusion facilities

“…For the past several years, the ASME Division 4 committee has been working on design code development for magnetic and inertial fusion energy devices [190,191]. This development is proceeding slowly; a roadmap plan has been approved and parties are contributing design guidance they have developed for fusion designs.…”