Development and validation of the blanket First Wall mock-up model in RELAP5-3D

Abstract

In the frame of the development of the equatorial outboard blanket module of the EU DEMO (Demonstration Fusion Power Plant) blanket concepts, the qualification and testing of mock-ups are foreseen by means of different experiments to validate models and computer codes for the simulation of abnormal and accidental operations. In this context, a functional test mock-up of the first wall (FWMU) is planned to be integrated in the HELOKA facility (HElium LOop KArlsruhe) at KIT in order to investigate typical safety relevant transients such as a LOFA (Loss Of Flow Accident). This work is aimed at the development and validation of a detailed thermal-hydraulic model of the FWMU plate by means of the system code RELAP5-3D. To this purpose, a comparison with CFX analyses for both steady-state and transient conditions has been performed as well as a calibration with the pressure loss characteristics experimentally determined under air flow conditions. The present model will be integrated into the completed HELOKA loop model to simulate different operational scenarios, but also to support the definition of a suitable text matrix, set-up the control and to define the instrumentation needed for the experiment.