Evaluation of energy and particle impact on the plasma facing components in DEMO

Abstract

We analyze the first wall blanket W/EUROFER configuration for DEMO under steady-state normal operation and off-normal conditions, such as vertical displacement events (VDE) and runaway electrons (RE). The main issue is to find the optimal thickness of the W armor which will prevent tungsten surface from evaporation and melting and, on the other hand, will keep EUROFER below the critical thermal stresses. Under steady-state operation heat transfer into the coolant must remain below the critical heat flux (CHF) to avoid the possible severe degradation of the coolant heat removal capability. From the plasma side it is particularly demanding to keep the bulk plasma contamination during the reactor long operational discharges below the fatal level. The possible damage of the FW materials due to the plasma sputtering erosion is estimated. The minimum thickness of the tungsten amour about 3mm for W/EUROFER sandwich structure will keep the maximum EUROFER temperature below the critical limit for EUROFER steel under steady-state operation and ITER like cooling conditions.