Speaker
Gioacchino Micciche
(FSN-ING-PAN)
Description
The International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is an accelerator-driven intense neutron source where fusion reactor candidate materials will be tested. The neutron flux is produced by means of a deuteron beam (250 mA, 40 MeV) that strikes a target of liquid lithium circulating in a loop. The support on which the liquid lithium flows is the most heavily exposed component to the neutron flux. The design of the target assembly (TA) system is today well advanced and a full size prototype was manufactured with the objective to carry out almost all the validation and optimization activities needed for a comprehensive final design of this component. One of the main issue to be investigated for the target system is the temperature distribution in the backplate at the start-up of the lithium loop. The flowing liquid lithium is injected in the backplate channel at 250°C and to prevent thermal shock, that may lead to rupture of the backplate itself, it has to be kept at a temperature in the proximity of the flowing lithium temperature. To address this aspect, a thermal analysis of the start-up transient scenario for the TA prototype was carried out in the past in collaboration with the University of Palermo by means of a finite element model implemented through a qualified software and an experimental test campaign has been set up for its validation at ENEA Brasimone. The optimum configuration of the heating system to allow the right temperature distribution on the backplate has been established through a continuous benchmarking between the simulation and the experimental results. Results of the experimental activities carried out together with the optimization of the configuration of the TA target heating system for the achievement of a suitable temperature distribution on the backplate are described and discussed in the paper.
Co-authors
Davide Bernardi
(FSN-ING-PAN, ENEA Brasimone, Camugnano (BO), Italy)
Fabrizio Frascati
(FSN-ING-PAN, ENEA Brasimone, Camugnano (BO), Italy)
Gaetano Bongiovi
(Dipartimento di energia, Ingegneria dell'Informazione e modelli matematici, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, Italy)
Gioacchino Micciche
(FSN-ING-PAN, ENEA Brasimone, Camugnano (BO), Italy)
Luciano Lorenzelli
(FSN-ING-PAN, ENEA Brasimone, Camugnano (BO), Italy)
Maria Lorena Richiusa
(Dipartimento di energia, Ingegneria dell'Informazione e modelli matematici, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, Italy)
Pietro Alessandro Di Maio
(Dipartimento di energia, Ingegneria dell'Informazione e modelli matematici, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, Italy)
Pietro Arena
(Dipartimento di energia, Ingegneria dell'Informazione e modelli matematici, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Palermo, Italy)
