Thermal–hydraulic analysis of a candidate design for ITER divertor neutron flux monitor (DNFM)

Abstract The key role in direct measurement of the ITER fusion power is assigned to the neutron diagnostic system for measurement of total neutron flux of the D–D and D–T fusion reaction with the help of a neutron flux monitor located under the divertor dome. High plasma heat loads in this position implies stringent requirements for the detector design and its cooling system to ensure the required temperature operation regime of the neutron detector. The paper describes the neutron flux monitor design developed in close collaboration with IO ITER diagnostic division. Two numerical models (hydraulic and thermal) built up to simulate the water flow in the cooling system and the temperature state of detector components are also presented and discussed. The numerical investigations carried out on the developed models have shown that only good thermal contact between the shell of the detector blocks and water-cooled casing of the monitor (fit, brazing) will provide the required temperature operation regimes of the most temperature-sensitive IFC electrodes. The obtained high temperature of the detector supports makes necessary an auxiliary direct cooling of the supports or their redesign so as to provide their higher thermal conductivity.