Oxford Sigma leads Workshop on ASME BPVC Section III Division 4 Fusion Energy Devices November 28, 2023

Dr Thomas Davis, Co-Founder and CTO of Oxford Sigma, leads a workshop hosted by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) at the ASME Code Week on the development of Division 4 “Fusion Energy Devices” in November 2023. Thomas is Chair of the Special Working Group for Fusion Stakeholders within ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section III Division 4.

The ASME Boiler Code Week is a forum for business leaders and policymakers to discuss high profile topics related to the ASME BPVC concerning the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, and nuclear power plant technologies. Code Week committee meetings are open to the public.

ASME BPVC Section III (Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components) Division 4 (Fusion Energy Devices) has published the first volume in July 2023 for the 2023 Code Edition. This marks the first publication within ASME BPVC dedicated to fusion energy devices. An updated Roadmap for Division 4 will be published in late 2023 that outlines the required research development in methodology, data needs for manufacture, maintenance, fusion materials properties, and routes to qualification for pressure boundary materials (for the use in fusion designs developed by the community). This workshop was on Monday 13th November at the ASME Code Week in Houston, TX, and was led by Oxford Sigma. The workshop provided an overview of Division 4, its roadmap, a technical deep dive, and outlines the pathway to become an invaluable tool for fusion energy.

In connection to the newly published volume, Dr Davis presented its implications at the 23rd Symposium on Fusion Engineering Conference on “Fusion Codes & Standards ASME BPVC Section III Division 4” in Oxford in July. Dr Davis also authored a peer-reviewed paper titled “The need for codes and standards in nuclear fusion energy” in the special collection, “The emergence of Private Fusion Enterprises” in the Journal of Fusion Energy in May 2023. The article is available open access here.

Oxford Sigma’s mission is to develop advanced materials solutions and technologies which comply with the latest standards to ensure suitable deployment within a commercial fusion power station.

“ASME (The American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Code Week in Houston, TX, has now concluded. The Division 4 workshop held in the Code Week by Section III has fired the starting gun. Fusion Energy now has a dedicated pressure vessel design code under BPVC Section III Division 4. The next task is to develop this code to become fit for purpose in supporting future fusion power stations. If anyone is interested in the development and how to get involved, please do reach out to me.”

~ Dr Thomas Davis, Co-Founder and CTO of Oxford Sigma

If your company or institution is interested in Division 4, please do reach out to Oxford Sigma on info@oxfordsigma.com.