The DEMO Water-Cooled Lead–Lithium Breeding Blanket: Design Status at the End of the Pre-Conceptual Design Phase

The Water-Cooled Lead–Lithium Breeding Blanket (WCLL BB) is one of the two blanket concept candidates to become driver EU-DEMO reactor. design was enacted with a holistic approach. influence that neutronics, thermal-hydraulics (TH), thermo-mechanics (TM) and magneto-hydro-dynamics (MHD) may have on were considered at same time. This new approach allowed for team create WCLL BB layout able comply different foreseen requirements in terms integration, tritium self-sufficiency, TH TM needs. In this paper, rationale behind choices main characteristics needed are reported discussed. Finally, achievements reached during pre-conceptual phase some remaining open issues be further investigated upcoming conceptual as well.