The TBM-CA configuration management approach for the ITER test blanket module - application to the HCLL TBS

Abstract

The European Test Blanket Modules (EU-TBM) are first prototypes of a fusion reactor breeding blanket. They will be tested in dedicated equatorial ports n°16 of ITER. Technical developments are performed by a Consortium of European Associates (TBM-CA) and supported within the framework of F4E agency. Designing a complex nuclear system like TBM for ITER necessitates an organizational structure inside the consortium to manage in permanence the coherence between requirements (F4E technical and management specifications) and the TBM development through their life time. At the present stage, evolutionary nature of the design from the different teams is important. Highest priority is assigned to the Management support and Design Integration Team (MDIT) to perform an efficient control of the Configuration Management (CM). The TBM-CA CM comprises 4 main processes: a) identifying configuration of a product characteristics, including its interfaces (Configuration identification), b) controlling the evolution from agreed baseline (Configuration Control), c) creating the knowledge database in order to manage the information all along the lifecycle of the items (Configuration status accounting) and d) verifying the current configuration status of the items (Audits). CM is then a powerful tool to link the requirements for engineering, safety, quality assurance and test & acceptance activities. The application of the CM approach is illustrated through the case of TBM-HCLL (Helium Cooled Lithium Lead). The result shows that the proposed methodology and tools are suitable and provide quality solution for the items with a complex configuration such as TBM HCLL.