Neutron Irradiation & Thermomechanical Experiment (NITE) - design

For the reliable long-term operation of fusion power plants, it is crucial to understand and predict the lifetime of materials in use. These materials include all structural and functional materials utilized at the first wall, blanket, magnets, and shielding. The key challenge is, that the harsh environment including high heat fluxes, high thermal stress and stress cycling, neutron irradiation, and sputtering on such materials should not be viewed separately. Currently, the synergistic loads cannot be evaluated experimentally because of the lack of adequate facilities. The purpose of that work is to design a synergetic Neutron Irradiation and Thermomechanical Experiment (NITE) for fusion materials. This design will leverage the existing Advanced-Test-Reactor (ATR), a fission reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory. We also acknowledge that with existing fission reactors the exact fusion condition cannot be created, and the limitations are critically discussed. The combination of neutron irradiation with a high heat flux is the focus. This is realized with an irradiation capsule design that includes a TRISO fueled region inside the capsule to enable a steady-state heat flux on one side of the specimen. The experimental design modeling showed that steady-state heat fluxes of 2.4 MW/m2 with a thermal gradient of above 250°C can be achieved in a 5 mm thick specimen.. Authors: Gietl, Hanns Anton [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000249864198); Worrall, Michael J. [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000349507438); Chapman, Daniel B [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000275372648); Brookman, Jason V [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000240565212); Woolstenhulme, Nicolas E [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000278813314). DOE Contract: AC07-05ID14517. Subjects: 70 - PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; fusion materials; high heat flux; neutron irradiation; synergisic effect