TOM'S PROJECT SUMMARY

Description:
One of the first projects I worked on at Culham was the design of a key component for an upcomingMAST enhancement phase – the neutral beam duct. This duct must allow transmission of a high energy neutral-particle beam into the MAST tokamak. It must contain the ultra-high vacuum conditions required for fusion whilst resisting the heat loads from stray beam energy.

Objectives:
Take the existing duct designs from similar fusion devices and propose a new duct solution for the MAST upgrade.

Carry out detailed computational analysis (structural and thermal FE) and hand calculation to predict design performance and suggest improvements to the design.

Lead design draughtsmen in realising the design on 3-D CAD.

Present the proposal at a design review.

Comments:
During this work I looked in detail at the expected heat loads on the duct walls, and made predictions using analysis tools. It turned out that the loading would be less than previously anticipated, and this has helped to reduce the cost of the MAST neutral beam enhancements. My solution was presented and accepted at a design review. This project taught me that creativity and good team communication can be just as important as technical ability.