Numerical simulations on natural convective heat transfer and active cooling of IFMIF Test Cell

•Thermo-hydraulic simulations of the IFMIF Test-Cell were carried out with Ansys-CFX V.14 on a reference case.•The current simulation model includes the natural convection inside the TC, several forced convective water flows in the pipelines attached on the steel liners and the helium-cooled HFTM (High Flux Test Module).•A kind of CFX Beta feature was used; in which multiple fluid domains associated with individual turbulence (laminar) models were defined and solved in a single simulation.•The simulations provide the key information on the flow and heat transfer of the Test-Cell components.

The International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is designated to generate a materials irradiation database for the future fusion reactors. The Test Cell (TC) accommodates the Test Modules and the lithium target assembly. Due to the nuclear heat generation, all the Test Modules inside the TC will be actively cooled. Other components like supporting structures, pipelines, cables etc., will be passively cooled by natural convection. The heat will be removed from the steel liners surrounding the TC by active water cooling. This paper concerns the thermo-hydraulic simulations of the Test Cell using Ansys-CFX. The current simulation model includes the natural convection inside the TC, several forced convective water flows in the pipelines attached on the steel liners and the helium-cooled HFTM (High Flux Test Module). The simulations provide the only means for validating the design before the construction and operation.