Thermo-hydraulical and thermo-mechanical analysis of the HCLL-TBM breeding unit

This paper concerns the latest design of the Helium Cooled Lithium-Lead (HCLL)-Test Blanket Module (TBM) according to the new dimensions of the space available for the module in the ITER equatorial ports. The performances of the proposed design are evaluated by means of new FE models of one breeding unit and the corresponding box structure. Detailed temperature and stress field distributions in each part of the structure have been obtained for nominal and accidental load conditions. The results of the FE calculations are analyzed with respect to thermal-hydraulics and thermo-mechanical stresses in order to verify the compliance with the established design criteria (maximum temperature in the structural material and SDC-IC rules). Also, the operating parameters are discussed in view of the DEMO-relevance of the proposed TBM design. Finally, possible improvements and modifications of the current design are proposed.