Development of remote handling technology of liquid lithium target and replaceable back plate with lip seal in IFMIF-EVEDA

The IFMIF is an accelerator-based intense neutron source for testing candidate fusion materials. Intense neutrons equivalent to neutron irradiation damage of about 50 dPa/y are emitted inside the Li flow through a back plate. Around the back plate, a lip seal made of 316 L is welded by laser-welding system for replacement by remote handling. The back plate will be designed for replacement at least every year. According to material tests of the lip seal weld joint (316 L/316 L) at room temperature, significant deterioration was not observed. Further investigation of the welding process of the lip seal such as a welding direction and a welding joint shape is in progress. Remote handling procedure of the back plate is examined. At first, three lip seal joints of connection piping will be cut by the laser cutting/welding device and then the target assembly with the back plate will be moved to a hot cell. The back plate lip seal will be cut by the laser arm in the hot cell. After machining and Li cleaning of the lip seal, a new back plate will be welded and moved to test cell/target room.