Thermomechanical processes in an inertial thermonuclear fusion reactor blanket under cyclic exposure to neutron fluence

Abstract

The thermomechanical processes occurring in the blanket of a heavy-ion inertial thermonuclear fusion reactor are analyzed. The heat-release density in the structural materials and the blanket coolant is calculated on the basis of prescribed characteristics of the neutron pulse from a ~1 GJ microexplosion of a target. Calculations of the nonstationary thermoelastic stress and pressure fields as well the temperature of the wall and blanket coolant are performed using simple one-dimensional models. The amplitude and frequency characteristics of the stress and pressure waves generated by the energy released in the microexplosion are obtained. The thermal relaxation processes occurring in the elements of the blanket between successive microexplosions are analyzed.