Thermo-Hydraulic Performance Analysis for Conceptual Design of ITER Blanket Shield Block

Since the recommendation of blanket redesign by 2007 ITER design review, the blanket system has been developed in the framework of blanket integrated product team composed mainly of ITER organization and procuring parties. As a part of blanket conceptual design tasks, Korea domestic agency has supported the design analyses with respect to the hydraulic and thermal performance of the inboard blanket shield block.

Three dimensional thermo-hydraulic and thermo-mechanical analyses of the inboard conceptual model with the poloidal cooling concept were performed. Two kinds of operation scenarios, inductive and non-inductive operations, were considered as representative loading conditions. The pressure drop, heat transfer and coolant uniformity in cooling passages were investigated in detail. The stress evaluation according to relevant code and standard was carried out and thermal bowing at flexible supports was also investigated. This paper presents the detailed analysis results, identifies issues on the conceptual configuration and makes suggestions on design improvements. In addition, this manuscript briefly describes about the complementary study such as the comparison of heat transfer coefficients calculated by empirical formula and CFD, and the effect of surface roughness inside the cooling channels.