Application of ASME Codes for ITER Components

Abstract

The experimental nuclear power reactor based on the fusion principle, tested in the framework of the international project ITER, will be installed in France. In Europe, all pressure equipments must comply with the Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/CE (PED) and satisfy the Essential Safety Requirements (ESRs) set out in its Annex I. For pressure equipments not conforming to European harmonized standards it must be demonstrated that all ESRs are satisfied. Nuclear pressure equipments are not within the scope of PED but those installed on the French soil must comply with the French Order dated December 2005 on nuclear pressure equipment (ESPN). As far as ESRs are concerned, ESPN gives complementary requirements to PED. For this international project and for sake of consistency, ASME Codes were chosen for the construction of all pressure equipments. For each selected Code, its compliance with PED and ESPN legislations has been examined. All applicable ESRs have been identified as “totally”, partially” or “not complied” together with the paragraph of the Code under review that fulfill the ESR. When needed complementary specifications were established. This presentation focuses on the ASME BPV Code Section VIII Division 2 and on the B31.3 Code, excluding Level N1 nuclear equipment aspects.