Development of a model for the thermal-hydraulic characterization of the He-FUS3 loop

He-FUS3 is a helium facility designed and realized by ENEA in order to test the thermal-mechanical properties of prototypical breeding blanket module assemblies of a DEMO reactor. The actual facility has been upgraded with a high performance turbo circulator and a water heat exchanger integrating the pre-existent air cooler. In addition, a new test section located in the loop hot zone has been settled down with the objective of investigating safety relevant transient conditions of “In-TBM” LOCA scenarios. A RELAP5-3D© model has been developed to perform a set of preliminary simulations on the new He-FUS3 layout. Both cold and hot stationary conditions have been analyzed evaluating the turbo circulator performances for a wide range of helium flow rate. Outcomes have shown that RELAP5-3D© is an effective tool in reproducing the most significant phenomena of He-FUS3 system, providing relevant insight supporting future experimental campaigns. The post-test analysis phase will be, of course, fundamental for the qualification of a consistent numerical model.