Neutronic analysis of ITER radial x-ray camera

The radial x-ray camera(RXC) is designed to measure the poloidal profile of plasma x-ray emission with high spatial and temporal resolution. The RXC diagnostic system consists of internal camera module and external camera module that view the core region and outer region through the vertical slots of the diagnostic first wall and diagnostics shield module of the equatorial port plug. To ensure the normal performance of the silicon photodiode array detectors of the cameras in the hard neutron irradiation environment in ITER tokamak, it is necessary to calculate neutron flux, radiation damage and the nuclear heating of the silicon photodiode array detectors and simulate the radiation maps of the range of RXC. This work estimated the nuclear environment of RXC based on Monte Carlo N-particle transport code, plasma scenarios of ITER tokamak and the RXC-integrated ITER CLITE model. The neutron flux of silicon photodiode array detectors and the lifetime of the silicon photodiode detector in the camera were calculated. The neutronic analysis results show that the shielding design has achieved the effect as expected and is able to guarantee the normal work of the detector during the ITER deuterium–deuterium phase without replacement, three detectors of the external camera can be operated during the whole deuterium–tritium phase without replacement.     

Neutronic analysis of Indian helium-cooled solid breeder tritium breeding module for testing in ITER

India has proposed the helium-cooled solid breeder blanket concept as a tritium breeding module to be tested in ITER. The module has lithium titanate for tritium breeding and beryllium for neutron multiplication. Beryllium also enhances tritium breeding. A design for the module is prepared for detailed analysis. Neutronic analysis is performed to assess the tritium breeding rate, neutron distribution, and heat distribution in the module. The tritium production distribution in submodules is evaluated to support the tritium transport analysis. The tritium breeding density in the radial direction of the module is also assessed for further optimization of the design. The heat deposition profile of the entire module is generated to support the heat removal circuit design. The estimated neutron spectrum in the radial direction also provides a more in-depth picture of the nuclear interactions inside the material zones. The total tritium produced in the HCSB module is around 13.87 mg per full day of operation of ITER, considering the 400 s ON time and 1400 s dwell time. The estimated nuclear heat load on the entire module is around 474 kW, which will be removed by the high-pressure helium cooling circuit. The heat deposition in the test blanket model (TBM) is huge (around 9 GJ) for an entire day of operation of ITER, which demonstrates the scale of power that can be produced through a fusion reactor blanket. As per the Brayton cycle, it is equivalent to 3.6 GJ of electrical energy. In terms of power production, this would be around 1655 MWh annually. The evaluation is carried out using the MCNP5 Monte Carlo radiation transport code and FEDNL 2.1 nuclear cross section data. The HCSB TBM neutronic performance demonstrates the tritium production capability and high heat deposition.     

Engineering studies for integration of the test blanket module (TBM) systems inside an ITER equatorial port plug

The European test blanket module (EU-TBM), first prototype of the breeding blanket concepts under development for the future DEMO power plant to produce the tritium, will be developed to be tested in three equatorial ports of ITER dedicated to this. The CEA Cadarache under the contract of Association EURATOM/CEA and in close relation with Association EURATOM/HAS works on the integration of the EU-TBM inside ITER tokamak.The installation of the TBM into the vacuum vessel is made with the help of a port plug, constituted with two components: the Shield module and the Port-Plug frame. The Shield module provides the neutron shielding inside the Port-Plug frame, which maintains in cantilever position the TBM and its shield module and closes the vacuum vessel port.This paper will describe the EU-TBM design and integration activities on the cooled shield module and on its interface with the TBM component. A particular attention, in term of thermal and mechanical studies, is dedicated to the design of the shield and test blanket module attachment, and also to the shield design and its internal cooling system.     

Progress in engineering design of Indian LLCB TBM set for testing in ITER

The Indian Lead–Lithium Ceramic Breeder (LLCB) Test Blanket Module (TBM) is the Indian DEMO relevant blanket module, as a part of the TBM program in ITER. The LLCB TBM will be tested from the first phase of ITER operation in one-half of an ITER port no. 2. LLCB TBM-set consists of LLCB TBM module and shield block, which are attached with the help of attachment systems. This LLCB TBM set is inserted in a water-cooled stainless steel frame called ‘TBM frame’, which also provides the separation between the neighboring TBM-sets (Chinese TBM set) in port no. 2. In LLCB TBM, high-pressure helium gas is used to cool the first wall (FW) structure and lead–lithium eutectic (Pb–Li) flowing separately around the ceramic breeder (CB) pebble bed to cool the TBM internals which are heated due to the volumetric neutron heating during plasma operation. Low-pressure helium is purged inside the CB zones to extract the bred tritium. Thermal-structural analyses have been performed independently on LLCB TBM and shield block for TBM set using ANSYS. This paper will also describe the performance analysis of individual components of LLCB TBM set and their different configurations to optimize their performances.     

Neutronic design of Indian LLCB TBM

India is developing lead lithium cooled ceramic breeder (LLCB) TBM to be tested in ITER. Liquid lead lithium along with lithium titanate has been adopted as basic material in Indian TBM for neutron multiplication and tritium breeding. RAFMS is used as the structural material and the first wall is cooled by helium. Li-6 enrichment is taken as 60 and 90% in lithium titanate and lead lithium, respectively. The LLCB TBM design is under progress and two design variants are being considered viz. plate design and tube design. In plate design the lead lithium and lithium titanate zones are arranged alternatively and are parallel to the first wall of TBM. In tube design circular tubes of RAFMS are assumed parallel to first wall and lead lithium flows inside the tubes or outside the tubes and lithium titanate is placed accordingly. For the neutronic design of the LLCB TBM, a detailed 3D neutronic model with “look alike” LLCB TBM in equatorial port in ITER has been constructed. A 3D neutron source has been used for the D-T neutrons emitted by plasma. Neutronic study is carried out using Monte Carlo transport code with FENDL-2.1 library with the following objectives: (1) to examine the profiles of heating and tritium production rates in the LLCB TBM, both in the radial and toroidal direction, in order to identify locations where neutronics measurements can be best performed with least perturbation from the surroundings, (2) to provide both local and integrated values for nuclear heating rates required for subsequent thermo-mechanical analysis, and (3) to compare the tritium production capabilities of two variants of the geometries. This paper will present the main findings from this neutronic study.     

On monitoring the tritium breeder in a lead–lithium cooled ceramic breeder (LLCB) module of the ITER

The operation of a tritium breeder is a most process among engineering problems of DEMO. In this study, a design for monitoring tritium-breeding in the reactor is discussed. Additionally, a system for the experimental estimation of the tritium-breeding ratio (TBR) and the tritium-breeding dynamics in a lead–lithium cooled ceramic breeder (LLCB) test module used in the ITER is proposed. The systems are based on tritium and neutron-flux measurements under the ITER plasma D–T experiments and the use of lithium ortho-silicate and lithium carbonate samples and neutron detectors. Different lithum-6 and lithium-7 isotope contents in the samples are used to measure neutron spectrum. The samples and detectors are delivered in containers to the test breeder module (TBM) on a monitor channel connecting the TBM to an operating zone of the ITER. The tritium content in the samples is measured in a laboratory by the liquid scintillation method.Pneumatic control is used to deliver the samples to the TBM and to extract the samples using the channel during plasma-operational pauses. Neutron calculation is performed to estimate the tritium content in the samples and the heat distribution in the materials of the channel under reactor irradiation. A measurement accuracy of the tritium content in the carbonate and orthosilicate samples can attain a level of 7% and 10%, respectively. The results of the channel-cooling calculation performed under the nominal operating conditions of the TBM (a plasma pulse) are presented in the paper.     

Nuclear Analysis of an ITER Blanket Module

ITER blanket system is the reactor’s plasma-facing component, it is mainly devoted to provide the thermal and nuclear shielding of the Vacuum Vessel and external ITER components, being intended also to act as plasma limiter. It consists of 440 individual modules which are located in the inboard, upper and outboard regions of the reactor. In this paper attention has been focused on to a single outboard blanket module located in the equatorial zone, whose nuclear response under irradiation has been investigated following a numerical approach based on the Monte Carlo method and adopting the MCNP5 code. The main features of this blanket module nuclear behaviour have been determined, paying particular attention to energy and spatial distribution of the neutron flux and deposited nuclear power together with the spatial distribution of its volumetric density. Moreover, the neutronic damage of the structural material has also been investigated through the evaluation of displacement per atom and helium and hydrogen production rates. Finally, an activation analysis has been performed with FISPACT inventory code using, as input, the evaluated neutron spectrum to assess the module specific activity and contact dose rate after irradiation under a specific operating scenario.     

Physical investigation for neutron consumption and multiplication in fusion–fission hybrid test blanket module

Inelastic scattering of high energy fusion neutrons does affect the performance of fusion blanket based on the choice of different materials. It will also affect the behavior of source neutrons in a subcritical fusion fission hybrid blanket and consequently the transmutation and tritium breeding performance. A fusion fission hybrid test blanket module (HTBM) is designed which is presumed to be tested in a large sized tokamak and plasma neutron source is similar to ITER. In this preliminary design of HTBM the neutron source and loss factors are computed for the detailed neutronic performance analysis. The neutronic analysis of hybrid blanket module is performed for five different TRU fuel types: TRU-Zr, TRU-Mo, TRU-Oxide, TRU-Carbide and TRU-Nitride. In this module design, it is aimed to burn and transmute the TRU nuclides from high-level radioactive waste of PWR spent fuel. The effect of TiC reflector on transmutation and tritium breeding performance of HTBM is also quantified. MCNPX is used for neutronic computations. Neutron spectrum, capture to fission ratio and waste transmutation ratio of each fuel type are compared to evaluate their waste transmutation performance. Tritium breeding ratio is also compared for two coolant options: Li and LiPb eutectic.     

New progress on design and R&D for solid breeder test blanket module in China

ITER will be used to test tritium breeding module concepts, which will lead to the design of DEMO fusion reactor demonstrating tritium self-sufficiency and the extraction of high grade heat for electricity production. China plans to test the HCCB TBM modules during different operation phases. Related design and R&D activities for each TBM module with the auxiliary system are introduced.The helium-cooled ceramic breeder (HCCB) test blanket module (TBM) is the primary option of the Chinese TBM program. The preliminary conceptual design of CN HCCB TBM has been completed. A modified design to reduce the RAFM material mass to 1.3 ton has been carried out based on the ITER technical requirement. Basic characteristics and main design parameters of CN HCCB TBM are introduced briefly. The mock-up fabrication and component tests for Chinese test blanket module are being developed. Recent status of the components of CN HCCB TBM and fabrication technology development are also reported. The neutron multiplier Be pebbles, tritium breeder Li₄SiO₄ pebbles, and structure material CLF-1 of ton-class are being prepared in laboratory scale. The fabrication of pebble bed container and experiment of tritium breeder pebble bed will be started soon. The fabrication technology development is proceeding as the large-scale mock-up fabrication enters into the R&D stage and demonstration tests toward TBM testing on ITER test port are being done as scheduled.     

Neutronic Calculation Analysis for CN HCCB TBM-Set

Using the Monte Carlo transport code MCNP.neutronic calculation analysis for China helium cooled ceramic breeder test blanket module(CN HCCB TBM) and the associated shield block(together called TBM-set) has been carried out based on the latest design of HCCB TBM-set and C-lite model.Key nuclear responses of HCCB TBM-set.such as the neutron flux,tritium production rate,nuclear heating and radiation damage,have been obtained and discussed.These nuclear performance data can be used as the basic input data for other analyses of HCCB TBM-set,such as thermal-hydraulics,thermal-mechanics and safety analysis.     

Design update,thermal and fluid dynamic analyses of the EU-HCPB TBM in vertical arrangement

In the frame of the activities of the EU Breeder Blanket Programme and of the Test Blanket Working Group of ITER, the Helium Cooled Pebble Bed Test Blanket Module (HCPB TBM) is developed in Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (FZK) to investigate DEMO relevant concepts for blanket modules.The three main functions of a blanket module (removing heat, breeding tritium and shielding sensitive components from radiation) will be tested in ITER using a series of four TBMs, which are irradiated successively during different test campaigns. Each HCPB TBM will be installed, with a vertical orientation, into the vacuum vessel connected to one equatorial port. As the studies performed up to 2006 in FZK concerned a horizontal orientation of the HCPB TBM, a global review of the design is necessary to match with the new ITER specifications.A preliminary version of the new vertical design is proposed extrapolating the neutronic analysis performed for the horizontal HCPB TBM. An overview of the new HCPB TBM vertical designs, as well as the preliminary thermal and fluid dynamic analyses performed for the validation of the design, are presented in this paper. A critical review of the results obtained allows us, in the conclusion, to prepare a plan for the future detailed analyses of the vertical HCPB TBM.     

Status of ITER TBM port plug conceptual design and analyses

The test blanket module port plug (TBM PP) consists of a TBM frame and two TBM-sets. However, at any time of the ITER operation, a TBM set can be replaced by a dummy TBM. The frame provides a standardized interface with the vacuum vessel (VV)/port structure and provides thermal isolation from the shield blanket. As one of the plasma-facing components, it shall withstand heat loads while at the same time provide adequate neutron shielding for the VV and magnet coils. The frame design shall provide a stable engineering solution to hold TBM-sets and also provide a mean for rapid remote handling replacement and refurbishment. This paper presents main design features of the conceptual design of TBM PP with two dummy TBMs. Also analysis results are summarized to evaluate shielding, hydraulic, and thermal and structural performances of the TBM PP design.     

Study of the helium-cooled lithium lead test blanket module nuclear behaviour under irradiation in ITER

The present paper deals with the detailed investigation of the helium-cooled lithium lead test blanket module (HCLL-TBM) nuclear behaviour under irradiation in ITER, carried out at the Department of Nuclear Engineering of the University of Palermo adopting a numerical approach based on the Monte Carlo method.A realistic 3D heterogeneous model of the HCLL-TBM was set-up and inserted into an ITER 3D semi-heterogeneous model that realistically simulates the reactor lay-out up to the cryostat. A Gaussian-shaped neutron source was adopted for the calculations.The main features of the HCLL-TBM nuclear response were assessed, paying a particular attention to the neutronic and photonic deposited power, the tritium production rate and the spatial distribution of their volumetric densities. Structural material irradiation damage was also investigated through the evaluation of displacement per atom and helium and hydrogen production rates.     

Development of self-powered neutron detectors for neutron flux monitoring in HCLL and HCPB ITER-TBM

Self powered neutron detectors (SPND) have a number of interesting properties (e.g. small dimensions, capability to operate in harsh environments, absence of external bias), so they are attractive neutron monitors for TBM in ITER. However, commercially available SPNDs are optimized for operation in a thermal nuclear reactor where the neutron spectrum is much softer than that expected in a TBM. This fact can limit the use of SPND in a TBM since the effective cross sections for the production of beta emitters are much lower in a fast neutron spectrum.This work represents the first attempt to study SPNDs as neutron flux monitors for TBM. Three state-of-the-art SPND available on the market were bought and tested using fast neutrons at TAPIRO fast neutron source of ENEA Casaccia and with 14 MeV neutrons at the Frascati neutron generator (FNG).The results clearly indicate that in fast neutron spectra, the response of SPNDs is much lower than in thermal neutron flux. Activation calculations were performed using the FISPACT code to find out possible material candidates for SPND suitable for operation in TBM neutron spectra.     

Progress on design and R&D for helium-cooled ceramic breeder TBM in China

The helium-cooled ceramic breeder (HCCB) test blanket module (TBM) is the primary option of the Chinese TBM program. Current progress on the design and R&D for Chinese helium-cooled ceramic breeder TBM (CN HCCB TBM) in China is presented. The main updated design and related R&D of CN HCCB TBM are introduced briefly. The mock-up fabrication and component tests for Chinese test blanket module are being carried out. Recent status of the components and fabrication technology development is also reported. The neutron multiplier Be pebbles, tritium breeder Li₄SiO₄ pebbles, and structure material CFL-1 are being prepared in the laboratory scale. The fabrication of 1/3 sized mock-up and construction of a He test loop are being carried out. The key technology development is proceeding to the large scale mock-up fabrication and demonstration tests toward on ITER testing.     

Design optimization of first wall and breeder unit module size for the Indian HCCB blanket module

The Indian test blanket module(TBM) program in ITER is one of the major steps in the Indian fusion reactor program for carrying out the RD activities in the critical areas like design of tritium breeding blankets relevant to future Indian fusion devices(ITER relevant and DEMO).The Indian Lead–Lithium Cooled Ceramic Breeder(LLCB) blanket concept is one of the Indian DEMO relevant TBM,to be tested in ITER as a part of the TBM program.Helium-Cooled Ceramic Breeder(HCCB) is an alternative blanket concept that consists of lithium titanate(Li_2TiO_3) as ceramic breeder(CB) material in the form of packed pebble beds and beryllium as the neutron multiplier.Specifically,attentions are given to the optimization of first wall coolant channel design and size of breeder unit module considering coolant pressure and thermal loads for the proposed Indian HCCB blanket based on ITER relevant TBM and loading conditions.These analyses will help proceeding further in designing blankets for loads relevant to the future fusion device.     

基于SuperMC的ITER下窗口生物屏蔽插件屏蔽分析

在国际热核聚变实验堆(ITER)中,窗口生物屏蔽插件需为电子设备和工作人员提供必要的辐射屏蔽防护。基于中子学分析的生物屏蔽插件设计是ITER设计的重要内容。本文基于超级蒙卡核模拟软件SuperMC,在ITER大厅三维中子学模型中整合了ITER设计整合部门(DIN)最新设计的下窗口生物屏蔽插件模型,对四种下窗口生物屏蔽插件进行了屏蔽分析。分析结果显示,低温恒温器低温泵生物屏蔽插件中子屏蔽性能最好,室内监视系统生物屏蔽插件屏蔽性能最差;室内检视系统生物屏蔽插件停堆剂量率最小,环形低温泵生物屏蔽插件停堆剂量率最大。在SA2辐照方案下,停堆12天后,环形低温泵生物屏蔽插件处停堆剂量率超过规定限值20倍。分析结果表明,ITER下窗口生物屏蔽插件设计有待优化。     

Preliminary Experiments on Accelerator-Driven Subcritical Reactor with Pulsed Neutron Generator in Kyoto University Critical Assembly

A series of preliminary experiments on an accelerator-driven subcritical reactor (ADSR) with 14 MeV neutrons were conducted at Kyoto University Critical Assembly (KUCA) with the prospect of establishing a new neutron source for research. A critical assembly of a solid-moderated and -reflected core was combined with a Cockcroft-Walton-type accelerator. A neutron shield and a beam duct were installed in the reflector region for directing as large a number as possible of the high-energy 14MeV neutrons generated by deuteron-tritium (D-T) reactions to the fuel region, since the tritium target is located outside the core. And then, neutrons (14MeV) were injected into a subcritical system through a polyethylene reflector. The objectives of this paper are to investigate the neutron design accuracy of the ADSR with 14MeV neutrons and to examine experimentally the neutronic properties of the ADSR with 14MeV neutrons at KUCA. The reaction rate distribution and the neutron spectrum were measured by the foil activation method for investigating the neutronic properties of the ADSR with 14 MeV neutrons. The eigenvalue and fixed-source calculations were executed using a continuous-energy Monte Carlo calculation code MCNP-4C3 with ENDF/B-VI.2 for the subcriticality and the reaction rate distribution, respectively; the unfolding calculation was done using the SAND-II code coupled with JENDL Activation Cross Section File 96 for the neutron spectrum. The values of the calculated subcriticality and the reaction rate distribution were in good agreement with those of the experiments. The results of the experiments and the calculations demonstrated that the installation of the neutron shield and the beam duct was experimentally valid and that the MCNP-4C3 calculations were accurately carried out for analyzing the neutronic properties of the ADSR with 14MeV neutrons at KUCA.     

241Am-Be中子源紧凑型屏蔽装置及辐照器设计

²⁴¹Am-Be中子源被广泛用于实验研究,为保护实验人员免受中子及γ射线照射,需要设计适当的屏蔽。利用蒙特卡罗方法计算中子透射不同材料后的能谱分布与剂量,优选各层屏蔽材料种类与厚度,设计一套²⁴¹Am-Be中子源紧凑型屏蔽装置。装置由内而外采用钨+聚乙烯+含硼聚乙烯+不锈钢进行防护,外表面周围剂量当量率H^*(10)低于10μSv/h,满足辐射防护要求。同时对装置内部热中子、超热中子和快中子注量分布进行研究,确定装置快中子和热中子输出通道最佳位置。在辐照装置同时开放快中子和热中子通道进行实验测试时,需要设置距离大于130 cm的控制区,以保障操作人员安全。     

中国氦冷固态实验包层2×6模块中子学计算分析

为了满足ITER对波纹度的要求,核工业西南物理研究院提出了新的减少低活化铁素体钢的氦冷固态（HCSB）实验包层模块（TBM）设计方案。采用MCNP程序及ITER全堆MCNP模型,对新设计的2×6HCSB-TBM进行三维中子学计算分析,给出了模块产氚率、核热沉积和功率密度分布等结果。在ITER运行因子为22%时,HCSB-TBM的产氚率为12.68mg/d。TBM内总核热沉积为522.5kW,最高功率密度为11.8W/cm³,出现在氚增殖区Li₄SiO₄中。计算结果可为TBM进一步的结构、热工水力学优化及其他系统设计提供中子学数据。