Numerical analysis of MHD flow and heat transfer in a poloidal channel of the DCLL blanket with a SiCf/SiC flow channel insert

MHD flow and heat transfer have been analyzed for a front poloidal channel in the outboard module of a Dual Coolant Lithium Lead (DCLL) blanket, with a flow channel insert made of a silicon carbide composite. The US reference DCLL blanket module [C. Wong, S. Malang, M. Sawan, S. Smolentsev, S. Majumdar, B. Merrill, D.K. Sze, N. Morley, S. Sharafat, P. Fogarty, M. Dagher, P. Peterson, H. Zhao, S. Zinkle, M. Youssef, Assessment of liquid breeder first wall and blanket options for the DEMO design, in: Proceedings of the 16th ANS TOFE Meeting, Madison, September 14–16, 2004.] has been considered. Effectiveness of the insert as insulator was assessed via numerical simulations based on a 2D model for a fully developed flow and on a 3D model for heat transport. Parametric studies were performed at σ = 5–500 (Ωm)−1 and k = 2–20 W/m K. Parameters resulting in a reasonably low MHD pressure drop and almost no heat leakage from the breeder into the cooling helium flows have been identified.