Tokamak fusion reactor plant assembly, logistics and critical issues

A tokamak fusion reactor will be an installation with linear sizes of a single assembly element of ∼10–20 m and a weight >1000 t. Similar weights can be handled at a construction site by commercially available equipment. But a problem is created by the combination of high weights and large dimensions of the components with tight installation tolerances driven by plasma physics requirements. To overcome this problem, the best available metrology techniques with 3-D real time computer modeling and specially selected assembly procedures are needed at all stages of production and assembly. Some of the biggest components i.e. poloidal coils must be produced at the construction site. Some smaller components must be preassembled at the site to accelerate construction. Adequate space with proper environmental control must be provided for these operations. These and other considerations determine the logistics of a fusion plant assembly.