Kuo Tian

Neutron activation system for the European ITER test blanket modules

Test Blanket Modules (TBM) will be installed in the experimental reactor ITER with the aim to investigate the nuclear performance of different breeding blanket designs for future power fusion reactors. KIT is developing a neutron activation system for the measurement of neutron flux densities in selected positions in the TBM based on pneumatic activation probe transport. A preliminary engineering assessment of the pneumatic transport system has been performed and extensive irradiation tests of selected activation materials irradiated with 14 MeV neutrons from an intensive DT neutron generator were done. Here we summarize the results of the engineering assessment and focus in particular on the results of the irradiation tests and the uncertainty of the measurement method.

Overview of Material Challenges in IFMIF Test Cell Design

Abstract As the core region of IFMIF, the test cell (TC) suffers intense neutron and gamma irradiations. Major material challenges of the TC faced during engineering design phase are outlined and the current key material allocations are described. Actively cooled magnetite concrete is selected as the major biological shielding material for the TC, and actively cooled closed liner made of 316L stainless steel is selected to cover the complete TC internal surfaces. Material selections for sealing gaskets and electric insulations inside the TC are preliminarily defined based on dose rate maps at different locations. Metal based sealing gaskets and glass/ceramic electric insulations are applied in the areas with high dose rate, while organic based gaskets and conventional insulation materials can only be arranged behind sufficient biological shielding. Leak tight welding seams between removable interface shielding plugs and the TC liner are located in the region with very low helium generation rate (<0.01 appm/fpy) in steel so that cutting and re-welding during the complete IFMIF life span is guaranteed.

New Progresses in the IFMIF Target and Test Cell Design and a Proposal for the Specimen Flow

The development of the conceptual design of the IFMIF Target and Test Cell (TTC) is briefly summarized by outlining the previous reference TTC design and the current Modular TTC (MTC) concept. Based on the MTC concept, the latest progresses of the preliminary engineering design of the key TTC components, including the TTC vessel, the Top Shielding Plugs (TSPs), the Removable Intermediate Ring (RIR), and the Test Module Interface Head (TMIH), are described. A specimen flow, based on handling requirements of the High Flux Test Module (HFTM), between the TTC, Access Cell (AC), Test Module Handling Cell (TMHC) and the Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) facilities is proposed as well as the function of the AC and TMHC is preliminary defined. The TMHC is proposed to be divided into a Component Handling Cell (CHC) and a Rig Handling Cell (RHC) regarding the dimension differences of the components to be handled inside of the cells. The recycling of the irradiated specimens for another campaign of irradiation is also considered in this specimen flow.Copyright