0000000000793646
AUTHOR
Nasr M. Ghoniem
Radiation effects on stress evolution and dimensional stability of large fusion energy structures
Abstract We assess the effects of neutron irradiation on the deformation and stress evolution of large-scale fusion energy structures. This is accomplished through non-linear finite element structural analysis of the coupled thermal and mechanical fields at the Beginning-Of-Life (BOL), at 45 dpa, and at 90 dpa. Radiation effects include volumetric swelling and the influence of radiation on the mechanical properties. The system studied here is a large section of a full inboard module of an integrated structure comprising the First Wall and Blanket (FW/B) of a Dual Cooled Lithium-Lead (DCLL) energy conversion unit in the Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF). The structural material is the f…
Multiphysics Optimization for First Wall Design Enhancement in Water-Cooled Breeding Blankets
Abstract The commercial feasibility of the first fusion power plant generation adopting D-T plasma is strongly dependent upon the self-sustainability in terms of tritium fuelling. Within such a kind of reactor, the component selected to house the tritium breeding reactions is the breeding blanket, which is further assigned to heat power removal and radiation shielding functions. As a consequence of both its role and position, the breeding blanket is heavily exposed to both surface and volumetric heat loads and, hence, its design requires a typical multiphysics approach, from the neutronics to the thermo-mechanics. During last years, a great deal of effort has been put in the optimization of…