Towards the EU fusion-oriented neutron source: The preliminary engineering design of IFMIF-DONES

Abstract

The need of a high-intensity, 14 MeV neutron source for the qualification of materials under fusion-relevant conditions has been recognized in the European fusion programme as an essential step towards the design and licensing of DEMO and future commercial fusion power plants. This need has pushed the EU to support the development of a Li(d,nx) neutron source called IFMIF-DONES (International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility-DEMO Oriented NEutron Source) based on and taking advantage of the results obtained in the IFMIF/EVEDA (IFMIF Engineering Validation and Engineering Design Activities) project conducted in the framework of the bilateral EU-Japan Broader Approach Agreement. The design activities and the supporting R&D work of the IFMIF-DONES facility are presently being carried out in the framework of the Work Package Early Neutron Source (WPENS) of the EUROfusion Consortium in direct collaboration with F4E Agency, with the main goal of consolidating the underlying technology and developing a sound design basis in order to be ready for IFMIF-DONES construction at the early beginning of the next decade.In this paper, some important aspects of the IFMIF-DONES Preliminary Engineering Design concerning in particular the main design integration issues in the target area are presented and briefly discussed.