Options and methods for instrumentation of Test Blanket Systems for experiment control and scientific mission

•This work defined options and methods to instrument ITER TBSs based on functional categories: safety, interlock and control and scientific exploitation based on the ITER research program.•Presented the general architecture of the HCLL and HCPB Test Blanket System Instrumentation and Control.•Defined safety and interlock sensors count and technology selection based on preliminary safety analysis.•Discussed the development status of scientific instrumentation, with focus on integration with design and fulfillment of TBM research program.

Europe is currently developing two reference breeder blankets concepts for DEMO reactor specifications that will be tested in ITER under the form of Test Blanket Modules (TBMs): the Helium-Cooled Lithium-Lead (HCLL) concept which uses the eutectic Pb-16Li as both breeder and neutron multiplier; the Helium-Cooled Pebble-Bed (HCPB) concept which features lithiated ceramic pebbles as breeder and beryllium pebbles as neutron multiplier. Each TBM is associated with several sub-systems required for their operation; together they form the Test Blanket System (TBS). This paper presents the state of HCLL and HCPB TBS instrumentation design. The discussion is based on the systems functional analysis, from which three main categories of instrumentation are defined: those relevant to safety functions; those relevant to interlock functions; those designed for the control and scientific exploitation of the devices based on the TBM program objectives.