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“we provided a service, but we also learned a lot” these are the words of Massimo Rossignoli<\/strong>, technologist at Legnaro National Lab and head of the technical office, who leaded the project aimed to the creation of a hi pressure test systems for special tubes produced by De Pretto Industrie<\/strong> and intended to be used on the JT-60SA Fusion reactor in Japan. <\/p>\n\n “From a technical standpoint, we worked on a complex and unconventional case study, and we acquired new competencies, in particular for what concerns the size and the operating conditions of the components to be tested. Working outside our usual context, we learned things that can be applied also in our everyday job, for example how to test components heated in vacuum and with refrigerant gas flow, that are used also in systems for the production of medical radioisotopes by target irrradiation <\/p>\n\n Moreover, managing the relationship with external companies, subjected to more strict budget and time constraint, allowed us to strengthen our project planning and management skills, with particular attention to the risk management. <\/p>\n\n De Pretto is a name well-known by people working in big science apparatus, and has a renowned reputation of professionalism and competence in the construction of special apparatus for ultra-high vacuum, particle accelerators and fusion reactors. The order of these components for the JT-60SA reactor is a further confirmation of the worldwide consideration De Pretto has in this field. The utmost strict specifications rquired for the project needed an equal level of quality control. For this reason, De Pretto asked INFN to support the design, realization and commissioning of a testing system for the special tubes. <\/p>\n\n The company requested us to design and build a test system capable to check if the pipes could sustain the required pressure up to a temperature of 160 \u00b0C. At Legnaro National Labs we have a huge practical and theoretical experience in working with vacuum and pressurized equipment, but this application had some additional complexities, due to the working condition of the pipes and to the necessity of being compliant to international standards. The system had to be installed at the company’s site, so it had to be safely used also by people not involved in its design. <\/p>\n\n “It was an exciting technological challenge, and we were eager to accept it” said Rossignoli. <\/p>\n\n INFN worked side by side with the company in all the project steps, starting from the design phase to the installation and assistance. Establishing a good and efficient relationship with the company was fundamental in order to apply our expertise to their context, and create a system as close as possible to their needing <\/p>\n\n The test apparatus consist of a vacuum chamber which contains a series of heating lamps capable to increase the temperature up to 160 \u00b0C. the pipes to be tested are inserted in the chamber and filled with helium up to 24 atmospheres using a internally designed gas inlet system. The chamber is then evacuated and the outlet of the pumping system is connected to a helium detector capable to identify any leak from the pipe to the vacuum chamber. <\/p>\n\n Beside the technical work, INFN put a great effort in the subsequent knowledge transfer to an industrial environment, the creation of new competences and the enabling activity made for De Pretto.<\/p>\n\n This project represents the idea of INFN’s Technology Transfer: not just providing high level services, but a reciprocal growing process in which the institute and the company exchange knowledge and good practices , involving also the supplier network, in order to create a richer and fertile knowledge ecosystem and thus iproving innovation, growth and society at large.<\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n\nA story of excellences<\/h6>\n\n
The technical challenge<\/h6>\n\n
The Project<\/h6>\n\n
Learn more about<\/h3>\n\n