ITER
Engaged in the implementation of large-scale projects in the field of nuclear technology, General Atomics (San Diego, California) has created a giant magnet for the largest thermonuclear reactor in history – ITER, which will begin operation in 2023 in the south of France.
The dimensions of the central magnet-solenoid excite the imagination: height - 17.9, width 42 m with a weight of about 1000 tons. It took more than 5 years for General Atomics (GA) specialists to create it. However, this is only half the battle. No less effort will be required to transport it to its destination. According to GA Design director John Smith, the magnet's power is enough to lift an aircraft carrier weighing 101250 tons to a height of almost two meters. The central solenoid will consist of six modules weighing 112.5 tons each. With its help, scientists are going to create a powerful magnetic field of 15 million amperes, which will keep the plasma heated to millions of degrees inside a thermonuclear reactor.
Super Magnet
The first thing that is necessary for its transportation is a unique crane. The crane body is placed on a 9-axle truck. The remaining parts and components of the crane will be in 40-60 semi-trailers. The module will be delivered by rail to Houston, Florida, and from there by sea to France. Separately, it is worth dwelling on how the magnet is made. Its main components are niobium and tin. The cables are delivered from Japan to GA, where they are carefully wound and heat-treated at 650 °C for five weeks. As a result, the Nb3Sn alloy is formed, which is a superconductor. After heating, the temperature is maintained for some time, after which gradual cooling begins. A special machine covers the cooled coils with insulation. The total length of the cable is 5.6 km. The first of the six modules has already arrived in France. He is currently in port. It will be delivered to the site where ITER is being assembled before the end of autumn.
