ITER Talks (2): The ITER Blanket System
Channel: iterorganization
Date: 2021-09-13

In this second ITER Talks episode meet Rene Raffray, responsible for one of the most critical components of the ITER machine: the blanket. 

The 440 blanket modules that completely cover the inner walls of the ITER vacuum vessel protect the steel structure and the superconducting toroidal field magnets from the heat and high-energy neutrons produced by the fusion reactions. As the neutrons are slowed in the blanket, their kinetic energy is transformed into heat energy and collected by the water coolant. In a fusion power plant, this energy will be used for electrical power production. 

Designing, fabricating and operating the ITER blanket will provide important information for the next-step fusion reactor, DEMO.

Background information: The ITER Talks is a series of lectures on the Science and Technology of ITER and fusion, recorded by experts that are working on the ITER project. The lectures will span the science, technology, engineering, and project management challenges and other aspects of this complex endeavour. New ITER Talks will be posted periodically.