Automated parametric neutronics analysis of the Helium Cooled Pebble Bed breeder blanket with Be 12 Ti

Shimwell, Jonathan; Lu, Lei; Qiu, Yuefeng; Pereslavtsev, P.; Häußler, A.; Hernández, Francisco A.; Zeile, Christian; Eade, T.; Spagnuolo, Gandolfo Alessandro; McIntosh, S.; Packer, L.W.; Barrett, T.

doi:10.1016/j.fusengdes.2017.01.004

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…It is clear that in order for any advanced method to generate any detailed geometry it must require the minimum human intervention, so it was determined that a software library should be created that allows arbitrary geometric operations to be performed, with the end goal of creating parametrically built blanket modules for the EU Demo program. This software is called the 'Breeder Blanket Model Maker' and can be found here [7]. Routines for the generation, modification and serialization of blanket envelopes were created that ultimately automatically produce detailed heterogeneous blankets for use in DEMO modelling.…”

Section: Geometry Creationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A number of key parameters define the structure of the blanket: first wall armour thickness, first wall thickness, rear plate count and thickness, and end cap thickness. An automated procedure regarding the automatic construction of a full detailed blanket structure was defined, and the full implementation details can be found in [7]. Additional fine detail is also included at the user's discretion including the introduction of fillets and cooling channels.…”

Section: Structural Componentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The process relies on a library of common functions which can be mixed and matched to create particular blanket designs. The breeder blanket design tool is released as an open source project under the Apache 2.0 license and distributed via the UKAEA Github repository [7]. The software is subject to a test suite and the build status is updated automatically with every commit.…”

Section: Parametric Geometriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alternatively the use of faceted geometry is also possible. Previously, parameter studies for fusion blanket optimization have converted parametric CAD models to CSG models using McCad and performed the simulation using MCNP [18]. This study opted to simulate using faceted geometry in the STL file format and perform the neutronics simulation using Serpent 2, which natively supports STL geometry.…”

Section: Neutronics Model Creationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multiphysics analysis with CAD-based parametric breeding blanket creation for rapid design iteration

et al. 2019

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Breeding blankets are designed to ensure tritium self-sufficiency in deuterium–tritium fusion power plants. In addition to this, breeder blankets play a vital role in shielding key components of the reactor, and provide the main source of heat which will ultimately be used to generate electricity. Blanket design is critical to the success of fusion reactors and integral to the design process. Neutronic simulations of breeder blankets are regularly performed to ascertain the performance of a particular design. An iterative process of design improvements and parametric studies are required to optimize the design and meet performance targets. Within the EU DEMO program the breeding blanket design cycle is repeated for each new baseline design. One of the key steps is to create three-dimensional models suitable primarily for use in neutronics, but could be used in other computer-aided design (CAD)-based physics and engineering analyses. This article presents a novel blanket design tool which automates the process of producing heterogeneous 3D CAD-based geometries of the helium-cooled pebble bed, water-cooled lithium lead, helium-cooled lithium lead and dual-coolant lithium lead blanket types. The paper shows a method of integrating neutronics, thermal analysis and mechanical analysis with parametric CAD to facilitate the design process. The blanket design tool described in this paper provides parametric geometry for use in neutronics and engineering simulations. This paper explains the methodology of the design tool and demonstrates use of the design tool by generating all four EU blanket designs using the EU DEMO baseline. Neutronics and heat transfer simulations using the models have been carried out. The approach described has the potential to considerably speed up the design cycle and greatly facilitate the integration of multiphysics studies.

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Section: Geometry Creationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Structural Componentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Parametric Geometriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Neutronics Model Creationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multiphysics analysis with CAD-based parametric breeding blanket creation for rapid design iteration

et al. 2019

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“…Recently, hexagonal beryllide blocks have been proposed to be used as neutron multiplier in the heliumcooled breeding blanket (HCPB) for the DEMO fusion reactor [1]. Intermetallic titanium beryllide (TiBe12) was chosen as a neutron multiplier material instead of pure Be, since TiBe12 has an increased operating temperature, higher corrosion resistance, swells less and retains lower amount of tritium under irradiation [1][2][3][4][5]. Using beryllide removes the requirement of short diffusion path of tritium, which in former design was an additional motivitaion to use of beryllium in form of pebbles with a diameter of 1 mm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%