RAMI analysis for ITER radial X-ray camera system

Abstract

ITER is the first international experimental nuclear fusion device. In the project, the RAMI approach (reliability, availability, maintainability and inspectability) has been adopted for technical risk control to mitigate all the possible failure of components in preparation for operation and maintenance. RAMI analysis of the ITER Radial X-ray Camera diagnostic (RXC) system during preliminary design phase was required, which insures the system with a very high performance to measure the X-ray emission and research the MHD of plasma with high accuracy on the ITER machine. A functional breakdown was prepared in a bottom-up approach, resulting in the system being divided into 3 main functions, 6 intermediate functions and 28 basic functions which are described using the IDEFØ method. Reliability block diagrams (RBDs) were prepared to calculate the reliability and availability of each function under assumption of operating conditions and failure data. Initial and expected scenarios were analyzed to define risk-mitigation actions. The initial availability of RXC system was 92.93%, while after optimization the expected availability was 95.23% over 11,520h (approx. 16 months) which corresponds to ITER typical operation cycle. A Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) was performed to the system initial risk. Criticality charts highlight the risks of the different failure modes with regard to the probability of their occurrence and impact on operations. There are 28 risks for the initial state, including 8 major risks. No major risk remains after taking into account all the actions. It was assessed that the RAMI analysis results meet the project requirement during preliminary design phase and the result will be qualified further when the system design is more mature.