Conceptual study for TBM-related activities in ITER Hot Cell Facility before TBM shipment back to owner

The post-irradiation examination (PIE) of the test blanket module (TBM) is an important part of the testing programme. To avoid the expense and difficulty of shipping large radioactive components from ITER site to Parties, the main functions of the TBM pre-PIE HCF (Hot Cell Facilities) will most probably to be performed, by remote handling, optical and other easy non-destructive examinations, extract specimen cassettes, cut the TBM into smaller, more manageable pieces, and prepare these pieces for shipment. This study presented the TBM-related activities in the ITER HCF including the operation sequences, operation tools, space allocations. The detailed equipments design and engineering requirements are needed. A detailed TBM cutting strategy capable of meeting pre-PIE and transfer requirements needs to be elaborated.