Simulation of the optimised design of the HFTM and the natural convection simulation in the IFMIF test cell cavity

Abstract

The thermohydraulic simulation of the optimised design of the High Flux Test Module (HFTM) for the International Fusion Material Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is done with the commercial code STAR-CD. The work is mainly focused on the detailed analysis of the temperature and velocity distribution in the module. Particularly, the influence of the cooling channels deformation as well as the heat of the target back wall on the thermohydraulic characteristics of the HFTM is estimated. It has been also shown that the target temperature in the volume with samples can be reached with the acceptable temperature gradient for the temperature level of 4500C and 6500C by use of the electrical heaters. The appropriate power of the electrical heaters are obtained for all the rigs. Additional task of the investigation is the optimisation of the lateral reflector cooling system. The cooling system consisting of four cooling channels is suggested to decrease the temperature level of the lateral reflector and to decrease the temperature non-uniformity in it. Nevertheless, the preliminary stress analysis showed high stress value in the rig wall. So, further work is required in this direction to achieve the acceptable stress in the structure. The first results of the natural convection simulation in the IFMIF test cell cavity are also presented in this report. These results are obtained for a simplified simulation of the test cell cavity and the work should be continued to obtain more reliable data.