Study on three-dimensional heterogeneous calculation of ITER test blanket module with deterministic method

•A new code system based on the two-step approach for the neutronics analysis of the test blanket module (TBM) for ITER is developed.•The code system can perform the neutronics analysis based on precise geometry.•A new developed 3D modular ray tracing technique is adopted.•The numerical results indicate that the code system is reliable and efficient for the conceptual design of TBM.

The neutronics analysis on the test blanket module (TBM) has important significance for the ITER device and its related experiment design. Quantities of scoping-type studies and conceptual designs were published by using the Monte Carlo method. However, disadvantages like time consuming make it necessary to develop a new highly efficient method. Hence, a new two-step approach method based on the 3D deterministic method for analyzing the TBM is proposed in this paper. A code package 3DMOC-NSPn was developed. It is mainly composed of three modules, the 3DMOC for generating the homogenization cross section; the LINK code for cross section condensation and the NSPn code for blanket calculation. The detailed flux distribution throughout the whole TBM and the mainly neutronics features, such as TBR, displacement per atom (DPA), helium and hydrogen production rate can be obtained. To validate the numerical approach and the code package, the calculations on China dual functional lithium lead-test blanket module (DFLL-TBM) was performed. The reference results were obtained by using the MCNP code. The numerical results from 3DMOC-NSPn are in good agreement with the references. It indicates that the whole code package is a reliable neutronics analysis tool for the TBM design and evaluation.