Study of the thermo-mechanical performances of the IFMIF-EVEDA Lithium Test Loop target assembly

Highlights: ► IFMIF-EVEDA target assembly thermo-mechanical behavior has been investigated. ► Finite element method has been followed and a commercial code has been used. ► Nominal, design and pressure test steady state scenarios and start-up transient conditions have been investigated. ► Steady state results have shown that back-plate yielding may occur only under the design scenario. ► Transient analysis has indicated that TA start-up lasts for ∼60 h. - Abstract: Within the framework of the IFMIF R and D program and in close cooperation with ENEA-Brasimone, at the Department of Energy of the University of Palermo a research campaign has been launched to investigate the thermo-mechanical behavior of the target assembly under both steady state and start-up transient conditions. A theoretical approach based on the finite element method (FEM) has been followed and a well-known commercial code has been adopted. A realistic 3D FEM model of the target assembly has been set-up and optimized by running a mesh independency analysis. A proper set of loads and boundary conditions, mainly concerned with radiation heat transfer between the target assembly external walls and the inner walls of its containment vessel, have been considered and the target assembly thermo-mechanical behavior under nominal, design and pressure test steady state scenarios and start-up transient conditions has been investigated. Results are herewith reported and discussed.