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PROCESS is a reactor systems code – it assesses the engineering and economic viability of a hypothetical fusion power station using simple models of all parts of a reactor system. PROCESS allows the user to choose which constraints to impose and which to ignore, so when evaluating the results it is vital to study the list of constraints used. New algorithms submitted by collaborators can be incorporated – for example safety, first wall erosion, and fatigue life will be crucial and are not yet taken into account. This paper describes algorithms relating to the engineering aspects of the plant. The toroidal field (TF) coils and the central solenoid are assumed by default to be wound from niobium-tin superconductor with the same properties as the ITER conductors. The winding temperature and induced voltage during a quench provide a limit on the current density in the TF coils. Upper limits are placed on the stresses in the structural materials of the TF coil, using a simple two-layer model of the inboard leg of the coil. The thermal efficiency of the plant can be estimated using the maximum coolant temperature, and the capacity factor is derived from estimates of the planned and unplanned downtime, and the duty cycle if the reactor is pulsed. An example of a pulsed power plant is given. The need for a large central solenoid to induce most of the plasma current, and physics assumptions that are conservative compared to some other studies, result in a large machine, with a cryostat 36 m in diameter. Multiple constraints, working together, restrict the parameter space of the optimised model. For example, even when the ratio of operating current to critical current in the TF coils is increased by a factor of five, the total coil cross-section decreases only a little, because of the need for copper stabiliser, insulation, and structural support. The result is that the plasma major radius hardly changes. It is these surprising results that justify the development of systems codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A three-stage compound cryopump could be used in fusion reactors. [•] Helium “ash” is adsorbed at 4.5K, and deuterium and tritium are adsorbed at 15–22K. [•] We used a free Direct Simulation Monte Carlo code (DS2 and DS2V). [•] 90% of the deuterium and tritium are successfully trapped at 15K. [•] Fuel is returned directly to the plasma, without isotopic separation or storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We outline a speculative design for a photodetachment neutraliser for a negative ion neutral beam system, with neutralisation efficiency of 95% or more. The practical difficulties are enormous. The ion beam must pass through an optical cavity capable of reflecting the light many times. For 500 reflections, the laser optical power output ∼800kW, giving circulating power ∼400MW. All sources of light loss combined need to be kept to 0.2% or less per pass. The losses due to photodetachment itself, and due to Thomson scattering in the beam plasma are negligible. A key task is to maintain the reflectance of the mirrors above 99.97% for long periods of operation, protecting all the components from thermal and neutron damage, and from caesium, sputtered atoms and other contamination. A diode-pumped Nd-doped YAG laser can have overall electrical-to-light (“wall-plug”) efficiency up to 25%. A DEMO concept reactor such as the EU Power Plant Conceptual Study (PPCS) Model B requires 270MW heating power. If this is all provided by neutral beams, then a laser neutraliser might reduce the electrical power consumption for this from 900MW to 520MW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power plant studies using systems codes allow the optimisation of designs to maximise or minimise some figure of merit: fusion power gain or cost of electricity, for example. The code should trade off between parameters to find the optimum whilst producing a solution consistent with physics and technology limitations. This paper describes the recently updated superconducting toroidal field coil (TFC) stress model in the systems code PROCESS. The TFC structure is critical in determining the reactor design as it influences key parameters, in particular the radial build and toroidal field. The model was validated with FEA and used to investigate how TF stress influences DEMO concept design in both pulsed (DEMO1) and steady-state (DEMO2) devices. The allowable stress in the TFC structural components was scanned between 440–720 MPa for runs in which PROCESS was minimising the major radius, R 0 , and produced a variation in R 0 of ∼1 m for fixed aspect ratio. The capital cost varied by $2–3 bn over the same range. Understanding how some parameters limit the design is essential for exploring new DEMO concepts and guiding future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the DEMO first wall 3D shape design activity, studying the effect of misalignment started in 2017. Such assessments have been conducted in the past for ITER and heat flux penalty factor maps have been created [ 1 ]; this route could be a feasible approach in the case of DEMO as well. This paper details the methodology that allows the effects of misalignments to be assessed for DEMO. The test cases focus on steady-state plasma operation (start of flat top). The aim is to understand the effect of basic misaligned cases, for example radial protrusion/recession or poloidal rotation of a single module. To do so, particle tracing software codes such as SMARDDA and PFCflux have been used to create heat flux maps that reach the first wall surfaces. These heat flux maps, combined with the specified radiative heat load, are used as input for simplified FE models of the blanket modules. As a result, not only the effect on heat flux, but also on the temperature (and later stress) distributions can be estimated. The paper describes how the obtained results can be implemented in ANSYS in the identified critical cases from the test matrix that has been studied. The results obtained from the nominal heat flux map are compared to the misaligned cases. The mitigating effect of the 3D nature of the heat conduction on the peak temperature is discussed. This work paves the way to assessing more realistic combined misaligned cases (such as misalignment from different thermal expansion, or due to electromagnetic loads etc. of neighbouring blankets) in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Preliminary design of DEMO first wall 3D surface is presented. • Steady state and controllable perturbations are preented,evaluating the radiated HF density on the wall and the charged particle power. • Different plasma-wall contact phases have been analysed for a list of foresseable and unforeseeable transients. • 3D field line tracing codes were employed to analyse and design discrete high heat flux components surfaces. Abstract The present DEMO breeding blanked design heat load capability is limited to ≈1 MW/m2 for steady state plasma loading, due to the specific requirements on high neutron irradiation capable materials, and high coolant temperature for efficient energy conversion. While this limit is achievable in nominal conditions in the present DEMO blanket concept designs, the greatest challenges arise from the occurrence of plasma transients. The results of simulations of a number of plasma transients are presented in this paper. 3D field-line tracing codes have been used to analyses the maximum heat flux and energy density for a specific first wall shape design, and optimize it. A scoping study has been performed with the thermal analysis code RACLETTE, using a broad range of transient input heat fluxes, on a series of high heat flux (HF) components concepts with tungsten armor, Eurofer steel or copper alloy as heat sink materials, and helium or water as coolant. The results permit the identification of the operational space of the peak HF density that can be tolerated by different plasma facing components, for the different transient models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European DEMO power reactor is currently under conceptual design within the EUROfusion Consortium. One of the most critical activities is the engineering of the plasma-facing components (PFCs) covering the plasma chamber wall, which must operate reliably in an extreme environment of neutron irradiation and surface heat and particle flux, while also allowing sufficient neutron transmission to the tritium breeding blankets. A systems approach using advanced numerical analysis is vital to realising viable solutions for these first wall and divertor PFCs. Here, we present the system requirements and describe bespoke thermo-mechanical and thermo-hydraulic assessment procedures which have been used as tools for design. The current first wall and divertor designs are overviewed along with supporting analyses. The PFC solutions employed will necessarily vary around the wall, depending on local conditions, and must be designed in an integrated manner by analysis and physical testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prepare the DEMO conceptual design phase a number of physics and engineering assessments were carried out in recent years in the frame of EFDA concluding in an initial design configuration of a DEMO tokamak. This paper gives an insight into the identified engineering requirements and constraints and describes their impact on the selection of the technologies and design principles of the main tokamak components. The EU DEMO program aims at making best use of the technologies developed for ITER (e.g., magnets, vessel, cryostat, and to some degree also the divertor). However, other systems in particular the breeding blanket require design solutions and advanced technologies that will only partially be tested in ITER. The main differences from ITER include the requirement to breed, to extract, to process and to recycle the tritium needed for plasma operation, the two orders of magnitude larger lifetime neutron fluence, the consequent radiation dose levels, which limit remote maintenance options, and the requirement to use low-activation steel for in-vessel components that also must operate at high temperature for efficient energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DEMO limiter system overview. • Description of shield block design options, potential candidate for PFC technology. • Introduction of the four different kind of limiters proposed and their roles and main parameters. • DEMO first wall and limiter surface shaping principles. • Status of supporting R&D. The anticipated heat flux limit of the European DEMO first wall is ∼1−2 MW/m2. During transient and off normal events, the heat load deposited on the wall would be much larger than the steady state heat load and exceed the first wall limit, therefore the breeding blanket first wall needs to be protected. This involves dedicated discrete limiters in certain regions of the machine that would take the brunt of the heat load as well as adequate shaping of the first wall. The current concept envisages limiters at a few (3–4) equatorial ports to cope with the ramp-up of the plasma; upper limiters (in ∼8 upper ports) are considered for upward vertical displacement events. Two design options have been considered for these limiters: a modular design where the limiter plasma facing components are attached to individual plates that are assembled together so that transient electromagnetic loads can be reduced, and in case of damage the plates can be replaced/repaired individually; and a divertor-like design where the plasma facing components are attached to a single Eurofer cassette. Other limiters considered include inner wall limiters in case of plasma contraction and lower limiters may be needed for downward vertical displacement events. The thermal hydraulic finite element analysis results show that the integrity of the cooling pipes can be maintained during the anticipated transient events. The limiters are considered to be sacrificial and designed to be replaceable independently from the breeding blanket system. The design has to allow that installation, removal or replacement of the limiters can be performed remotely. Strategy to tackle outstanding issues and required R&D is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]