The investigation of the neutronic responses of components in the K-DEMO

The neutronic response of consisting materials of the Korean fusion DEMOnstration reactor (K-DEMO) in its fusion neutron environment is a crucial consideration factor from the conceptual design stage of the K-DEMO. Especially in the design of in-vessel components (IVCs) of the K-DEMO that are placed in the most extreme neutron irradiation field, neutronic damage of constituent components is a major limiting factor that determines the lifetime of IVCs. From the analysis of the neutronic response of IVCs of the K-DEMO, the neutron wall loading (NWL) related to the tritium breeding ratio and nuclear heating of IVCs can be quantified to assess the self-sufficient supply of tritium, and thermal energy transferred from fusion neutrons, respectively. The calculated NWL shows that the harmonizing design of the cooling configuration of each blanket segment with the corresponding NWL is critical thermos-hydraulic design issue for the efficient utilization of thermal energy in the blanket. Another finding is that the double null magnetic field configuration and related blanket configuration with a water-cooled pebble bed of the K-DEMO make a self-sufficient tritium supply challenging. The implicated lifetime of the first plasma-facing tungsten wall of the K-DEMO is around 2 full power years (FPY) in the severely neutron-irradiated region. For the reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel layers in the blanket, the lifetime of it is estimated around 4 FPY in the inboard region. Based on the response analysis results of this study, optimization of the design of the K-DEMO will continue iteratively in the future.

Automated summary

The neutronic response of the materials in the Korean fusion DEMOnstration reactor (K-DEMO) is crucial for its conceptual design. Neutronic damage is a major limiting factor for the lifetime of in-vessel components (IVCs) placed in the extreme neutron irradiation field. The analysis of the neutronic response of IVCs allows the quantification of neutron wall loading (NWL) to assess the tritium supply and thermal energy transfer. The design optimization of K-DEMO will continue based on the response analysis.