CFETR integration design platform: Development of space analysis module

Abstract

Space allocation is important in the design of a fusion reactor, where numerous components operate under complex conditions, including a strong magnetic field, high-energy neutron irradiation, and a wide temperature range (4.5 K at the magnet and ∼300–500℃ at the blanket). To ensure the consistency of the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR) design, multi-component interference checks and distance measurements must be routinely performed. In this paper, a space analysis module is developed on the CFETR Integration Design Platform to provide the space analysis function for both rigid and deformed components (using the Representative-Triangles method). The example of the space allocation of a vacuum vessel (VV) and a thermal shield (TS) is demonstrated. The deformation due to heating under the bake-out condition is considered (during operation, heating and swelling due to radiation also cause deformation). With the input from the component design module, the space analysis can be well-performed for both rigid models and thermal deformation results (under the simplified boundary condition). Through iteration between the component design modules and the space analysis module, a preliminary designed clearance of 40 mm between the VV and TS is insufficient owing to the deformation during bake out, and the optimized clearance increases by a factor of two.