Preliminary thermal-hydraulic and safety analysis of China DFLL-TBM system

China has proposed the dual-functional lithium-lead (DFLL) tritium breeding blanket concept for testing in ITER as a test blanket module (TBM), to demonstrate the technologies of tritium self-sufficiency, high-grade heat extraction and efficient electricity production which are needed for DEMO and fusion power plant. Safety assessment of the TBM and its auxiliary system should be conducted to deal with ITER safety issues directly caused by the TBM system failure during the design process. In this work, three potential initial events (PIEs) – in-vessel loss of helium (He) coolant and ex-vessel loss of He coolant and loss of flow without scram (LOFWS) – were analyzed for the TBM system with a modified version of the RELAP5/MOD3 code containing liquid lithium-lead eutectic (LiPb). The code also comprised an empirical expression for MHD pressure drop relevant to three-dimensional (3D) effect, the Lubarsky–Kaufman convective heat transfer correlation for LiPb flow and the Gnielinski convective heat transfer correlation for He flow. Since both LiPb and He serve as TBM coolants, the LiPb and He ancillary cooling systems were modeled to investigate the thermal-hydraulic characteristic of the TBM system and its influence on ITER safety under those accident conditions. The TBM components and the coolants flow within the TBM were simulated with one-dimensional heat structures and their associated hydrodynamic components. ITER enclosures including vacuum vessel (VV), port cell and TCWS vault were also covered in the model for accident analyses. Through this best estimate approach, the calculation indicated that the current design of DFLL-TBM and its auxiliary system meets the thermal-hydraulic and safety requirements from ITER.     

Preliminary safety analysis of ex-vessel LOCA for the European HCPB TBM system

Ex-vessel loss of coolant accident caused by a double-ended pipe break of the helium coolant system inside port cell is considered as one of the most critical accident for the European Helium Cooled Pebble Beds Test Blanket Module (HCPB TBM) system. The resulting rapid helium blow-down causes an immediate block of the TBM cooling, which requires a prompt plasma shutdown. Even after the plasma shutdown the temperature can increase over the design limit and the accident sequence can lead up to a break of the TBM box protection after the failure of different protection systems. Thus air ingresses in the vacuum vessel from the damaged TBM system and steam from the surrounding ITER blanket and divertor structures. The evaluation of this sequence is very important for the definition of the correct protection strategy of the system. To consider all these different events a methodology has been developed in KIT combining different codes for a complete analysis of the accident. In particular, this paper shows an application of MELCOR code to model beryllium–steam reaction in a particular accidental sequence for the long term cooling.     

Safety and environmental aspects of organic coolants for fusion facilities

Organic coolants, such as OS-84, offer unique advantages for fusion reactor applications. These advantages are with respect to both reactor operation and safety. The key operational advantage is a coolant that can provide high temperature (350–400°C) at modest pressure (2–4 MPa). These temperatures are needed for conditioning the plasma-facing components and, in reactors, for achieving high thermodynamic conversion efficiencies (>40%). The key safety advantage of organic coolants is the low vapor pressure, which significantly reduces the containment pressurization transient (relative to water) following a loss of coolant event. Also, from an occupational dose viewpoint, organic coolants significantly reduce corrosion and erosion inside the cooling system and consequently reduce the quantity of activation products deposited in cooling system equipment. On the negative side, organic coolants undergo both pyrolytic and radiolytic decomposition, and are flammable. While the decomposition rate can be minimized by coolant system design (by reducing coolant inventories exposed to neutron flux and to high temperatures), decomposition products are formed and these degrade the coolant properties. Both heavy compounds and light gases are produced from the decomposition process, and both must be removed to maintain adequate coolant properties. As these hydrocarbons may become tritiated by permeation, or activated through impurities, their disposal could create an environmental concern. Because of this potential waste disposal problem, consideration has been given to the recycling of both the light and heavy products, thereby reducing the quantity of waste to be disposed. Preliminary assessments made for various fusion reactor designs, including ITER, suggest that it is feasible to use organic coolants for several applications. These applications range from first wall and blanket coolant (the most demanding with respect to decomposition), to shield and vacuum vessel cooling, to an intermediate cooling loop removing heat from a liquid metal loop and transferring it to a steam generator or heat exchanger.     

LOCA analysis for Korean helium cooled solid breeder TBM

One of the major ITER goals is test blanket module (TBM) program which is for the demonstration of the breeding capability that would lead to tritium self-sufficiency in a reactor and the extraction of high-grade heat suitable for electricity generation under the ITER fusion environment. While the engineering design of Korean helium cooled solid breeder (HCSB) TBM and its ancillary systems has been performed, a safety assessment on different possible accident scenarios should be carried out for the purpose of licensing. In this paper, accident analyses for several loss of coolant accident (LOCA) cases were performed in order to assess safety aspects of the TBM design using RELAP5/MOD3.2. Since the TBM forms a loop with helium cooling system (HCS) which is one of ancillary systems required for removing heat deposited in the TBM by neutron wall loading and surface heat flux from plasma, it is necessary to model the complete loop for accident analysis. In this study, the helium passage including the TBM and HCS was nodalized for each accident scenario. The TBM and HCS components were modeled as the associated heat structures provided by RELAP5 to include heat transfer across solid boundaries. Based on computational results it was found that current design of the TBM is robust from the safety point of view.     

Analysis of an ex-vessel break in the ITER divertor cooling loop

In the present work the integrated ECART code, developed for severe accident analysis in LWRs, is applied on the analysis of a large ex-vessel break in the divertor cooling loop of the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER). A comparison of the ECART results with those obtained by Studsvik Nuclear AB (S), utilizing the MELCOR code, was also performed in the general framework of the quality assurance program for the ITER accident analyses. This comparison gives a good agreement in the results, both for thermal-hydraulics and the environmental radioactive releases. Mainly these analyses, from the point of view of the ITER safety, confirm that the accidental overpressure inside the vacuum vessel and the Tokamak cooling water system (TWCS) Vault is always well below the design limits and that the radioactive releases are adequately confined below the ITER guidelines.     

Investigation into the in-box LOCA consequence and structural integrity of the KO HCCR TBM in ITER

Korea has developed a Helium Cooled Ceramic Reflector (HCCR) Test Blanket Module (TBM) and its auxiliary system in ITER. In parallel with its design, safety analysis has performed including accident analysis with the selected reference accidents. Among them, the effect of in-box LOCA to the structural integrity of the TBM was investigated. From the transient analysis of the GAMMA-FR on the in-box LOCA, it is found that the pressure of the internal TBM can be increased up to 8 MPa with the same pressure of the operating coolant through the Tritium Extraction System (TES) and He purge lines in the TBM. Structural analysis with ANSYS code for TBM was performed with this condition and it is confirmed that the TBM can endure and it does not affect the ITER machine by the failure.     

基于RELAP5的双功能液态锂铅实验包层模块安全分析

利用嵌入了液态锂铅（LiPb）的热工水力子模块的系统程序RELAP5/MOD3,对双功能液态锂铅（DFLL）实验包层模块（TBM）的安全特性进行评价。对DFLL-TBM及其辅助冷却系统的稳态运行工况、预期运行事件和相关事故工况进行了建模、计算和分析。计算结果表明,稳态运行时第一壁（FW）结构材料表面最高温度低于允许值550 ℃。事故工况下氦气泄漏引起的ITER真空室（VV）、窗口设备室（port cell）以及托卡马克冷却水系统大厅拱顶（TCWS vault）的增压均低于ITER要求的限值0.2 MPa。实验包层钢结构不会熔化且可通过辐射换热有效地导出衰变余热。DFLL-TBM的设计可满足ITER对其热工水力安全方面的要求。     

聚变实验堆ITER实验包层瞬态热工安全分析

在中国向ITER(International Thermonuclear Experiment Reactor)实验包层工作组提交的双功能锂铅实验包层模块(DFLL-TBM)设计分析的基础上,通过对DFLL-TBM系统相关的瞬态事故如真空室内部冷却剂泄漏、TBM(实验包层模块)内部冷却剂泄漏以及真空室外部冷却剂泄漏事故进行计算分析,评价DFLL-TBM对ITER在热工方面对安全的影响.结果表明:当发生瞬态事故时,DFLL-TBM有能力通过热辐射将余热排出,且包层结构不会熔化.DFLL-TBM可满足ITER在热工方面对安全的要求.     

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.     

Preliminary numerical analysis of MHD flow of DFLL-TBM on the single coolant stage

The liquid lithium–lead (PbLi) breeder blanket concept has been explored extensively due to their potential attractiveness. To check and validate the feasibility, the China dual-functional lithium lead test blanket module (DFLL-TBM) system, which is designated to demonstrate the integrated technologies of both He single coolant (SLL: single-cooled lithium lead) and He–LiPb dual-coolant (DLL: dual-cooled lithium lead) blankets, is proposed for test in ITER. One of the key feasibility issues is the impact of liquid metal MHD effect which will influence the pressure drop, flow distribution, and heat transfer in a DFLL-TBM.To reduce MHD effect, an electrically insulating coating is applied onto the inner surface of the flow channel for single coolant blanket. In this work, a preliminary numerical study of MHD flows in a simplified DFLL-TBM model on the single coolant stage has been carried out to assess the performance of such a concept with regard to the above mentioned MHD problems and constraints. The flow distribution and MHD pressure drop of LiPb flow in the SLL stage TBM are analyzed.     

Safety Analysis Results for ITER In-Vessel Loss of Coolant Events

A number of postulated in-vessel loss of coolant accidents (LOCAs) associated with the first wall and baffle cooling systems of the ITER detailed design have been analyzed for the ITER Non-site Specific Safety Report (NSSR-1). A range of break sizes from one first wall tube break (1.57 × 10^–4 m²) to damage to all in-vessel components (0.6 m² break) have been examined. These events span the ITER event classification from likely events to extremely unlikely events. In addition, in-vessel pipe breaks in combination with bypass of the two confinement barriers through a generic penetration have been examined. In all cases, when the vacuum vessel pressure suppression system is activated, most of the radioactive inventory is carried to the suppression pool where it remains for the duration of the event. Releases in these events are well within ITER release limits.     

铅铋快堆一回路充排系统可靠性分析

铅铋快堆属于第四代反应堆,其一回路采用液态铅铋合金冷却.铅铋快堆一回路充排系统可以调节反应堆主容器内液态金属液位,该系统充满含有放射性物质的液态金属,其可靠性水平对反应堆运行及安全有重要影响.本文以中国科学院核能安全技术研究所·FDS团队自主设计的铅铋快堆一回路充排系统为研究对象,运用故障树分析方法对该系统进行可靠性分...     

Numerical analysis of dual-flow fields in Mini-TBM for Chinese LiPb experimental loop Dragon-IV

It is difficult to measure the detailed dual-flow fields of liquid metal lithium lead (LiPb) and helium gas in Mini-Test Blanket Module (TBM). Three dimensions numerical analysis of the LiPb and helium gas flow and heat transfer in Mini-TBM therefore has been curried out using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code FLUENT. The detailed dual-flow fields, which include temperature, velocity, pressure and heat transfer of liquid LiPb and helium gas, are presented to support for the test of Mini-TBM, and to supply more robust database and make a significant joint contribution to the future TBM testing in EAST and ITER, and also optimize and improve the design of Dual Function Lithium Lead TBM (DFLL-TBM) system for ITER.     

Fusion Specific Features in ITER Accident Analysis

Fusion specific features like inherent plasma shutdown, low decay heat densities, cryogenic temperatures, and limited source terms were considered during the safety design process of ITER. Uncertainties in plasma disruptions motivates a robust design to cope with multiple failures of in-vessel cooling piping. A vacuum vessel pressure suppression system mitigates pressure transients and effectively captures mobilized radioactivity. In case of pump trips or ex-vessel coolant losses in the divertor the plasma needs to be actively terminated in a few seconds. Failure to do so might damage the divertor but radiological consequences will be minor due to the intact first confinement barrier. Tritium plant inventories are protected by several layers of confinement. Uncontrolled release of magnet energy will be prevented by design. Postulated damage from magnets to confinement barriers causes fluid ingress (air, water, helium) into the cryostat. The cold environment limits pressurization. Most tritium and dust is captured by condensation.     

Safety Analysis of ITER Test Blanket Module for Water Cooled Blanket with Pebble Bed Breeder

Performance test of test blanket modules in the fusion environment using the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is one of the most important mile-stone for the development of the breeding blanket of the fusion power plant. In the design of test blanket modules in the ITER, it is very important to show that test modules do not cause additional safety concern to the ITER. This work has been performed for the evaluation of the preliminary safety of the test blanket module of a water cooled solid blanket, which is the primary candidate of the breeding blanket in Japan currently. Major issues of the evaluation were, establishment of post-accident cooling in the test blanket module, hydrogen gas generation by Be/steam reaction, and pressure increase and spilled water amount by the event of coolant leakage. The analyses results showed that, suppression tank system is necessary to accommodate the over-pressure by the coolant water after pipe break in the box of the test module. Coolant water pipe break of the first wall of the test blanket module will result relatively small impact to the ITER safety because of the small inventory of the coolant water of the test module and large volume of the vacuum vessel of the ITER. However, it was clarified that the water cooled blanket with beryllium pebble as the multiplier will have the potential hazard of the hydrogen formation. Further investigation to maintain the safety on this aspect is required.     

Detailed evaluation of coolant injection into the reactor vessel with RCS depressurization for high pressure sequences

A coolant injection into the reactor vessel with depressurization of the reactor coolant system (RCS) has been evaluated as part of the evaluation for a strategy of the severe accident management guidance (SAMG). Two high pressure sequences of a small break loss of coolant accident (LOCA) without safety injection (SI) and a total loss of feedwater (LOFW) accident in Optimized Power Reactor (OPR)1000 have been analyzed by using the SCDAP/RELAP5 computer code. The SCDAP/RELAP5 results have shown that only one train operation of a high pressure safety injection at 30,000 s with indirect RCS depressurization by using one condenser dump valve (CDV) at 6  min after implementation of the SAMG prevents reactor vessel failure for the small break LOCA without SI. In this case, only one train operation of the low pressure safety injection (LPSI) without the high pressure safety injection (HPSI) does not prevent reactor vessel failure. Only one train operation of the HPSI at 20,208 s with direct RCS depressurization by using two SDS valves at 40 min after an initial opening of the safety relief valve (SRV) prevents reactor vessel failure for the total LOFW.     

Sensitivity study on in-box LOCA for a Korean HCCR TBM in ITER

Korea has designed a Helium-Cooled Ceramic Reflector (HCCR)-based Test Blanket System (TBS) for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Among seven selected reference accidents in Korean TBS, in-box loss of coolant accident (LOCA) is one of them. This is initiated by a double-ended break of the coolant pipe in the Breeding Zone (BZ), pressurizing the BZ box structure, causing pressurization of the Tritium Extraction System (TES) and purging of pipelines. When the accident is detected, the Plant Safety System (PSS) isolates the Helium Cooling System (HCS) and TES, and requests plasma shutdown to Fusion Power Shutdown System (FPSS). To prevent aggravating failure of the system, the safety function is automatically activated when the accident is detected, the device being the isolation valve of HCS and TES. One important observation of this accident is that instant isolation is not a good measure to take. In terms of the possibility of aggravating failure, system isolation is an important safety procedure but isolated TES volume is exposed to high pressure and temperature conditions in the early move of the accident transient. The result of system safety analysis shows that delayed isolation keeps the system safe for a while. In this article, given the preliminary accident analysis results for the current HCCR TBS, case studies were performed regarding the delayed isolation timing effect. For this transient simulation, Korean nuclear fusion reactor safety analysis code (GAMMA-FR) was used.     

基于RELAP5的中国氦冷固态包层真空室外破口瞬态特性分析

利用RELAP5/MOD3.4对中国氦冷固态包层、氦气冷却剂回路和二次侧水冷系统进行建模和系统热工水力安全评价。依据ITER事故分析制定的事故序列,对设计基准真空室外破口进行了瞬态分析,并对比了不同破口位置、面积和停堆方式对第一壁的影响。结果表明：真空室外破口发生在风机的下游较上游危险,且小破口较大破口更危险;若真空室外破口同时包层第一壁破口,也可通过自然循环和辐射换热带走衰变热冷却包层;真空室外破口事故中采用聚变停堆系统的3s停堆方式,可避免第一壁熔化。     

Proposal of Integrated Test Facility for in-Vessel Thermofluid Safety of Fusion Reactors

A vacuum vessel (VV) of a tokamak fusion reactor like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) consists the first confinement barrier that includes the largest amount of radioactive materials such as tritium and activation products. The ingress of coolant event (ICE) is a design basis event in the ITER where water is used as the coolant. The loss of vacuum event (LOVA) is also considered as an independent design basis event. Based on the results of ICE and LOVA preliminary experiments, an integrated in-vessel thermofluid test is being planned and conceptual design of the facility is in progress. The main objectives of the integrated test are to investigate the consequences of possible interaction of the ICE and the LOVA and to validate the analytical model of thermofluid events in the VV of the fusion reactor. This paper introduces a conceptual design of the integrated test facility and a testing plan.     

Preliminary tritium safety analysis on China DFLL-TBM for ITER

The dual-functional lithium-lead test blanket module (DFLL-TBM) system was proposed to be tested in ITER. A tritium permeation model of the entire DFLL-TBM system was developed, and the tritium permeation and inventory in DFLL-TBM system were done based on the model during normal operation. Three classes of off-normal situations had been preliminarily analyzed, i.e. in-vessel TBM coolant leaks, in-TBM breeder box coolant leaks and ex-vessel TBM ancillary coolant leaks. The results showed that some issues required significant R&D effort to guarantee the tritium release to the environment below the allowable level, such as the tritium extraction from LiPb and helium coolant and very efficient detritiation system. And more analyses would be carried in the future to further assess the safety of DFLL-TBM.