INITIAL OPERATION OF THE 1.8 K TORE SUPRA CRYOGENIC SYSTEM

The commissioning of the Tore Supra cryogenic system has been accomplished in three steps. First test of the helium refrigerator alone started in october 1986 and was completed in February 1987. Second, the interconnecting cryogenic lines between the refrigerator and the three satellites around the torus were fonctionally tested during the time frame, may 1987 to July 1987. The last step, i.e the toroidal magnet first cooldown was achieved in March 1988. The problems encountered during these major phases and the induced modification of the system are discussed here in. Also presented are the performance data which confirm the expected operational characteristics of the Tore Supra cryogenic system.