Transient flow behavior for a hel ium-cooled ceramic breeder blanket *

This paper presents a thermal-hydraulic analysis of a helium-cooled ceramic breeder blanket for the ITER. It is found that the blanket can operate at moderate pressure and temperatures, which coupled to the use of an inert gas, makes it particularly attractive from a safety standpoint. Transient analysis of the manifolding flow distribution indicates that the introduction of a diffusive plate at the inlet of the blanket coolant flow path produces a more uniform coolant exit temperature. Control of the pump pressure head ensures that the coolant temperature is kept below its maximum limit, set by the maximum allowable operating temperature of the breeder.