Multiphysics simulations and integrated modeling of fusion blankets

The blanket is the primary engineering component of a nuclear fusion device responsible for radiation shielding, tritium breeding, and energy transfer for power production. Since a fusion blanket has never been manufactured, we rely on accurate high-fidelity simulations to understand its behavior in the fusion environment. In addition to modeling the physics of the blanket itself, care is taken to accurately represent the fusion environment through coupling with plasma physics simulations. Edge/SOL (scrape-off-layer) plasma physics simulations are performed to assess heat fluxes to the first wall, core plasma physics simulations are performed to provide the neutron source distribution for neutronics calculations, and magnet electromagnetic calculations are performed to evaluate the magnetic field imposed on tokamak blanket materials. These plasma and magnet calculations provide the required inputs required for accurate engineering simulations of fusion blankets. The multiphysics fusion blanket analysis includes components from the first wall to the blanket as well as the surrounding magnet structures. Liquid blanket computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with heat transfer and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is performed informed with neutronics heat deposition and tritium generation rates. This allows multi-fidelity assessment of the shielding, tritium transport and heat transfer within fusion blankets.