DEMO blanket testing in ITER. Influence on reaching DEMO

ITER goal was specified as one step between now and the DEMO fusion reactor. One of the major issues is the tritium breeding blankets test relevant to future reactors. The major objectives of blanket modules (TBM) experiments in ITER are reduced in comparison with proposed test objectives in ITER-FDR. Thus, results of DEMO blanket designs testing in ITER will provide limited (but still useful) information that will need strong support from non-fusion facilities testing. The role of non-fusion tests is increased now to provide additional data required for DEMO blanket construction and qualification. A strategy of testing steps to DEMO blanket qualifications has to include parallel testing in ITER and in non-fusion devices. Experiments in fission reactors are able to provide essential data on materials radiation properties; tritium release, inventory and permeation; and thermomechanical behavior of the blanket breeder/multiplier. However, the volume in fission reactors is rather small and neutron spectra differ from the fusion reactor one. Nonetheless in the near future one depends primarily on fission reactor irradiation. The powerful accelerator based neutron source IFMIF could also provide useful information on radiation material properties. Plasma based neutron sources of different fusion devices could be the best choice for testing DEMO materials and blanket mock-ups. Timetable and costs of these devices are not clear now.