Work

Design optimization and fabrication method development for the HCCP TBM shield considering manufacturability

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Helium Cooled Ceramic Pebble (HCCP) Test Blanket Module (TBM) is being co-designed in a Korean-EU collaboration. The HCCP TBM set consists of a TBM box and a TBM shield. This study aims to investigate the manufacturing process and propose a simplified manufacturing method to facilitate the fabrication of the HCCP TBM shield. The HCCP TBM shield structure comprises five blocks with piping connections consisting of water inlet/piping, helium inlet/piping, purge gas inlet/piping, and NAS I&C piping that run through these five blocks and connect to the TBM manifold. The existing Helium Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) TBM shield design includes multiple reinforcement plates, which pose challenge in welding and inspection. In this study, we proposed a simplified internal structure for the existing HCPB TBM shield, evaluated its structural soundness through thermal-hydraulic and thermo-mechanical analyses, and suggested a new fabrication method that reduces the number of reinforcement plates to improve fabrication convenience while maintaining the structural integrity of the existing design.

Source: Fusion Engineering and Design

DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2025.115409

Authors: Jae Sung Yoon, Suk-Kwon Kim, Seong Dae Park, Dong Won Lee, Hyoseong Gwon

Institutions: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Institute of Fusion Energy

Language: English

Topic: Fusion materials and technologies

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,810