Neutronics and activation characteristics of the international fusion material irradiation facility

Abstract A neutronics and activation characterization of the main IFMIF test cell components has been performed by using a newly developed global geometry model for the Monte Carlo calculations, which describes in detail the IFMIF sub-systems. The neutron fluxes and displacement damage rates in different materials have been assessed by the McDeLicious code, which simulates the IFMIF neutron source extending up to 55 MeV and uses cross-sections from suitable evaluated libraries for neutron transport. The induced radioactivities and γ-ray contact dose rates were calculated by the ALARA inventory code on the basis of the IEAF-2001 activation library. The displacement damage rates in steel vary from 60 to 0.004 dpa/year and the induced radioactivity after 1 year IFMIF operation 10 15 –10 11  Bq/kg as one moves from the lithium target back plate to the test cell walls. Comparative activation analysis of the SS-316 and Eurofer steels has shown that latter one will have γ-ray dose rate an order of magnitude less for the cooling period 10–1,000,000 years.