Oxford Sigma’s co-founder appointed Chair of ASME BPVC Section III Division 4 fusion energy devices committee

Dr Thomas Davis, Co-Founder of Oxford Sigma, has been appointed Chair of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section III Division 4 “Fusion Energy Devices” subgroup. The appointment began on January 1^st 2024 and is for a term of three years.

Oxford Sigma has been supporting the development of a construction code and standard for fusion energy with ASME BPVC Section III Division 4 for multiple years.  As Chair, Dr Davis will be leading the development efforts to enable Division 4 to become the global standard on pressure systems in fusion energy covering topics such as design, materials qualification, examination, and requirements.

ASME BPVC provides the design and construction rules of boilers and pressure vessels worldwide, covering both nuclear and non-nuclear devices. The documents are written and maintained by chosen volunteers based on their technical expertise. In July 2023, ASME BPVC Section III (Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components) Division 4 (Fusion Energy Devices) published its first volume for the 2023 Code Edition.

The volume provides requirements covering fusion energy-related components and their interactions. Related support structures, including metallic and non-metallic materials, containment or confinement structures, and in-vessel components, are also covered. Additionally, the rules contain requirements for materials, design, fabrication, testing, examination, inspection, certification, and stamping.

“It is an honour and pleasure to be appointed Chair of the ASME BPVC Section III Division 4 “Fusion Energy Devices” construction code and standards. My mission during my term as Chair is to ensure the pressure system design code and standards become the go-to for fusion energy systems for the future. If you are interested in supporting Division 4, do reach out!”

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

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. As part of Oxford Sigma’s contribution to fusion codes and standards, the company led a workshop at the ASME Code Week on the development of Division 4 “Fusion Energy Devices” in November 2023.

If your company or institution is interested in Division 4, please contact Oxford Sigma directly through email, via  info@oxfordsigma.com.

Oxford Sigma tackles energy security and climate change by accelerating the commercialisation of fusion energy. Oxford Sigma’s mission is to deliver materials technology, materials solutions, and fusion design services in order to accelerate the commercialisation of fusion energy. Oxford Sigma is internationally recognised as a key fusion materials and technological leader within the market.

Get in touch at info@oxfordsigma.com