DEMO Fusion Reactor Case Study

Our client approached Technetics to develop a seal and optimized assembly concept for a maintenance plan to manage the Tokamak port cells for their DEMO fusion reactor. This is no small feat.



DEMO Fusion Reactor Case Study

DEMO Fusion Reactor Case Study

Technetics’ Seals and Maintenance Expertise Propels DEMOnstration Fusion Power Plant Forward

The next-generation DEMOnstration power plant, or DEMO, is “an industry- and technology-driven program, a key criterion for DEMO is the production of electricity,” according to its designers. 

 Our client approached Technetics to develop a seal and optimized assembly concept for a maintenance plan to manage the Tokamak port cells for their DEMO fusion reactor. This is no small feat as the seal’s performance is required to:  

  • contain the plasma at high temperatures,  
  • maintain a significant enough density of reacting ions,  
  • capture high-energy neutrons from the reaction without melting the reactor walls, 
  • ensure efficient operation of the plant through the prevention of pressurized steam loss, and 
  • protect the plant against corrosion caused by extreme temperatures inside the reactor core. 

Failure is not an option as it would result in the escape of radioactive materials — causing negative consequences to human health and the environment — and an unstable reactor core, which would cause substantial damage to the Tokamak’s walls.  

Clearly, the client needs industry-leading experts, and Technetics is up for the challenge. 


Excelling the Future of Energy Through Technetics’ Advanced Sealing Technology 

Port cells serve as confinement barriers to shield the environment from radiation generated by the reactor. The cells, made of specially formulated concrete, oppose the passage of neutrons and contamination. As important as it is to keep the radiation confined, it’s equally essential that the port cells are accessible to allow maintenance and repairs of the interior reactor.   

Thanks to collaboration with the CEA, Technetics is working to solve these demanding technical challenges to enhance the project’s performance and longevity in many ways. For instance, Technetics provides various engineering solutions to develop and maintain vacuum chamber sealing as well as designing and developing specific components for the reactor, such as vacuum seals.  

We steadily provide ultra-high vacuum, irradiation, tritium environment, and remote handling solutions throughout the program. Our engineers develop safety systems, cycle systems, and maintenance services to ensure the solutions are performing correctly. Additionally, we are committed to a complete, all-around engineering study and analysis for the four years of the program. 

 




Technetics Provides Clients with Reliable Sealing Solution

Technetics delivers our premier sealing service to the technological innovations involved in our client’s new DEMO Power Plant. This project requires the best hands to gather top-quality technologies to develop a ground-breaking fusion reactor, and we deliver our seals and maintenance for the Tokamak port cells.  

Now, our client has a safe and efficient DEMO fusion reactor, allowing them to focus on the primary goal of the technology: producing electricity.  

 At Technetics, we welcome challenging projects and enjoy finding solutions to meet our customers’ needs. Ready to start your partnership? Contact us today.

Critical Sealing For Hydrogen Production and Storage On-Demand Webinar


Critical Sealing For Hydrogen Production and Storage On-Demand Webinar

In this webinar, we discuss the challenges and the hydrogen-related R&D applications where Technetics has already been involved since 2006, including solid oxide fuel cells, high-temperature electrolysis, proton exchange membrane fuel cells and more. Prepare to learn about the challenges and solutions for this exciting green energy source, hydrogen.


Webinar Highlights


Key Takeaways:

  • Learn about hydrogen as an energy source
  • Explore hydrogen-related R&D applications that Technetics is involved in
  • Discover how Technetics Group handles hydrogen-related challenge

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Hydrogen: Push Towards the Generation of Green H2

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Getting Technetical: Hydrogen-Push Toward the Generation of Green H2

There have been advancements in the research and development of clean energy sources. Hydrogen has been identified as a potential green energy source.

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Hydrogen Production: The Challenges and Practical Applications

As the world shifts its focus to decarbonization initiatives, research shows responsible leaders will pour more technology and infrastructure into the hydrogen production economy to provide clean, carbon-free energy storage.

Non-Contacting-Lift-Off-Seal-cross-section

Non-Contacting Lift-Off Seal


Non-Contacting Lift-Off Seal

How Metal Seals Work Infographic

How a Metal Seal Works


How a Metal Seal Works

HELICOFLEX® Spring Energized Seal

HELICOFLEX® Resilient Metal Seal


HELICOFLEX® Resilient Metal Seal


The HELICOFLEX® seal is a high performance, flexible metal seal that has exceptional compression and elastic recovery properties. This seal is composed of a close wound helical spring surrounded by one or more metal jackets. The spring is designed to have a specific compression resistance. During compression, the resulting specific pressure forces the jacket to yield and fill the flange imperfections while ensuring positive contact with the flange sealing faces. Each coil of the helical spring acts independently and allows the seal to conform to surface irregularities on the flange surface.

HELICOFLEX® design flexibility allows Technetics engineers to customize the seal characteristics to match each unique application.




Features & Benefits


  • Highest sealing level performance on the market, depending on the sealing load, the surface finish, and the surface treatment
  • Excellent corrosion resistance
  • Wide range of materials: from standard to specific and/or rare
  • Special materials on demand for coatings: wide range of materials available, from standard to specific and/or rare (see details below in “Specifications” section)
  • Extended lifetime and more
  • Excellent radiation resistance
  • Compatible with NACE MR 0175
  • Ø 4 to 8000 mm
  • Ø 1,5 to 40 mm cross-section
  • Adaptable to all types of sealing surfaces (triple faces, radial, shaped, and more)
  • Adaptable to all standards flanges (PNEUROP, ANSI, ISO, and more)




Product Applications


  • Nuclear: reactor pressure vessels, control rods, primary pumps, pressurizers, spent fuel casks, transportation casks
  • Hydrogen: Solid oxide fuel cells, High-temperature electrolysis, High-temperature water stream electrolysis, Proton exchange membrane fuel cells
  • Life sciences: imaging & scanning systems
  • Semiconductor chamber, exhaust and other applications in PVD/CVD/etch and lithography processes
  • Automotive: engine, exhaust gas
  • Oil and gas: hydraulics, subsea couplings, subsea Christmas trees, subsea compressors, electronic submersible pumps, flow meters
  • Valves: body/bonnet sealing, seat sealing
  • Ultra-high vacuum: accelerators & fusion research
  • Gas/chemical delivery systems


SPEAK WITH A SPECIALIST

Have questions? A Technetics Group product specialist will get back to you to shortly.


Specifications



  • Temperature
  • from -272˚ up to 800˚C
    (from -457˚F to 1472˚F)
  • Pressure
  • from 10-10 mbar up to 3000 bar
    (from 1E-12 psi to 43.511 psi)
  • Leak rate
  • Sealing level from bubble tightness down to 10-12 Pa.m3.s-1
  • Sealing Lining
  • Aluminum – Gold- Silver – Pure Iron – Copper – Brass – Soft Steel – Nickel – Monel – Tantalum – Stainless Steel (304L – 316L – 321 – 316Ti) – Zirconium – Inconel (600 – 625 – 718 – 750) – Hastelloy – Titanium – Tin
  • Coating
  • Gold – Silver – Nickel
  • Spring
  • Nimonic 90 – Alloy 718 – Alloy 750 -SS – XC80


Resources

Helicoflex texturised seal comparison

HELICOFLEX® TEXEAL® Texturised Seal


HELICOFLEX® TEXEAL® Texturised Seal


Increase the overall sealing performance of your installations with TEXEAL®, the new patented texturing process, applied to HELICOFLEX®, which is already the resilient metal seal standard for high-performance sealing. HELICOFLEX® TEXEAL® can help reduce operating costs during maintenance. It is a material innovation developed from decades of established sealing expertise.


Features & Benefits


• Optimize overall cost of assembly during design phase
• Reduce overall operating cost
• MTBF (mean time before failure) increase
• LCC (life cycle cost) decrease
• Optimize sealing performance without increasing of the
tightening force (up to 10-12 Pa.m3.s-1)
• Lower stress on the assembly with the same tightness level
• Maintain sealing performance during thermal cycles
• Adaptable to a wide range of assembly dimensions
• Adaptable to groove sealing surfaces
• Large selection of materials
• Corrosion resistant




Product Applications


• Nuclear Power Generation: reactor pressure vessels closure head, control rod mechanisms (CRDM), reactor coolant pumps (RCP), pressurizers, steam generators, spent fuel casks
• New energies: molten salt & solar plants, SMR
• Semiconductors: chamber, exhaust and other applications in PVD/CVD/etch and lithography processes
• Valves: body/bonnet sealing, seat sealing


Texeal Webinar Promo


SPEAK WITH A SPECIALIST

Have questions? A Technetics Group product specialist will get back to you to shortly.


Specifications




Resources