A generic data translation scheme for the coupling of high-fidelity fusion neutronics and CFD calculations

• A data translation scheme has been developed for coupling Monte Carlo neutronics and CFD simulations.
• It contains a generic data translation kernel, and interfaces for the MCNP, CFX and Fluent code.
• A blanket test case model was investigated for validation and verification purposes.
• Results of the so-called Inversion Check are very close to MCNP calculated results.

The design of fusion device components is achieved through iterative coupled neutronics and thermal hydraulics analyses. A translation scheme has been developed for transferring the nuclear heating data from Monte Carlo (MC) neutronic calculations to CFD simulations. It contains a generic data translation kernel which supports the high-fidelity data mapping of MC meshes on CFD meshes, and provides interfaces for processing the nuclear response data on the meshes for CFD codes. This translation scheme has been implemented in the open-source pre- and post-processing platform SALOME to extend its capabilities on data manipulations and visualizations. For verification purposes, a blanket test case based on the Helium Cooled Pebble Bed Test Blanket Module was investigated. The processing of the heating distribution data was validated through a so-called Inversion Check comparing the inverted heating field with the original MC tally distribution. The results of the verification have been discussed in detail, and the reliability of the data translation scheme is concluded.