Session: 04-12: SMRs, Advanced Reactors and Fusion

Paper Number: 133048

133048 - Asme Bpvc Section Iii Division 4 Fusion Construction Code Roadmap 

Abstract: 

ASME BPVC has been developing Division 4 under Section III since 2014 with the first draft standard released in 2018. The ASME Board onNuclear Codes and Standards approved Section III Division 4 for construction of fusion-energy-related components for fusion facilities in July2023. Division 4 provides construction rules for pressure retaining components of fusion devices that include items such as vacuum vessels (vacuum or target chamber), cryostat, and superconductor structures and their interaction with each other. The rules contain requirements formaterials, design, fabrication, testing, examination, inspection, certification, and stamping.

Within the ASME BPVC III organizational structure there is a Sub-Group Committee entitled Fusion Energy Devices. This committee is responsiblefor Division 4 of the BPVC Section III code rules and the division has a new ANSI approved standard that has been published in July 2023 thatprovides the construction rules for Fusion Energy Devices. These rules within this Division 4 standard contain fusion-energy-related componentsrequirements for example vacuum vessel, cryostat and superconductor structures and their interaction with each other. Other related supportstructures, including metallic and non-metallic materials, containment or confinement structures, fusion-system piping, vessels, valves, pumps,and supports will also be covered. The rules contain requirements for materials, design, fabrication, testing, examination, inspection, andcertification. The BPVC III Sub-Group Fusion Energy Devices (FED) Committee developed the code rules for construction of fusion componentsand has working groups for the following major components: Magnets, Vacuum Vessel, Materials, In-Vessel Components, Support Structures andBalance of Plant Equipment.

The membership of Division 4 is global, with members from China, United Kingdom, ITER, South Korea, India, Japan, USA, several nationalnuclear regulators, and recently the private fusion companies. The latter has grown since 2010 with private investment netting > $6.2 billion USDin capital into the private fusion companies so that Q>1 can be demonstrated by 2025. Thus, there has been recently surgent interest and activityin the private fusion companies to develop a construction code and standard that is fit for purpose for fusion power stations.

In order to efficiently develop these new fusion code rules, Division 4 Fusion Energy Device Roadmap was published to guide in the developmentof these Fusion Energy Device Code Rules. The roadmap helps us focus committee resources on areas of these new fusion code rules underdevelopment, as well as providing project management to this development effort. This talk will provide an update on the development on the fusion code, and its roadmap for 2025 to 2029 code versions.

Presenting Author: Thomas Davis Oxford Sigma

Presenting Author Biography: Dr Thomas P Davis is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Oxford Sigma, an advanced materials fusion technology company based in UK and USA. Oxford Sigma tackles energy security and climate change by accelerating the commercialisation of fusion energy and our mission is to deliver materials technology, materials solutions, and fusion design services to the fusion industry. Thomas is the Chair of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section III Division 4 “Fusion Energy Devices” Special Working Group for Fusion Stakeholders. He holds multiple fusion patents and has published fusion scientific papers. Thomas has a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Oxford.

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