Model-based optimization of the heat flux distribution of IR-heaters for high heat flux testing

For the testing of helium cooled plasma facing components a homogeneous surface heat flux distribution has to be generated with up to 500 kW/m2 in the case of the ITER Test Blanket Module. One option is to use infrared radiation heaters which consist of several quartz glass (fused silica) tubes with tungsten filaments inside to generate the required heat flux. This paper introduces the numerical model of the heater which has been investigated in the SIRHEX (“Surface Infrared Radiation Heating Experiment”) facility at KIT. The model uses a transient simulation to assess the heat flux distribution on the surface of the test mock-up. To validate the model, the numerical results are compared with the latest results from SIRHEX. Using the now qualified model, the heater set-up is optimized to generate a homogeneous distribution for a future test of a blanket first wall.