Design issues of the High Voltage platform and feedthrough for the ITER NBI Ion Source

Abstract

In the ITER heating Neutral Beam Injector (NBI), a High Voltage air-insulated platform (named High Voltage Deck, HVD) will be installed to host the Ion Source and Extractor Power supply system and associated diagnostics referred to −1 MV DC potential. All power and control cables are routed from the HVD via a feedthrough (HV bushing) to the gas insulated transmission line which feeds the Injector. The paper focuses on insulation and mechanical issues for both HVD and HV bushing which are very special components, far from the present industrial standards as far as voltage (−1 MV DC) and dimensions are concerned. For this purpose, a preliminary design of the HVD has been carried out as concerns the mechanical structure and external shield. Then, the structure has been verified with a seismic analysis applying the seismic load excitation specified for the ITER construction site (Cadarache) and carrying out verifications according to relevant international standards. As regards the HV bushing design, proposals for the complex inner conductor structure and for interfaces to the HVD and transmission line are outlined; alternative installation layouts (aside or underneath the HVD) are compared from both mechanical and electrical points of view.