ARIES-CS Loss of Coolant and Loss of Flow Accident Analyses

Abstract

Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) and Loss of Flow Accident (LOFA) thermal simulations have been performed for the ARIES compact stellarator fusion power plant. The ARIES-CS design uses three separate coolant loops: lithium-lead (LiPb) in the blanket, helium in the blanket and the shield, and water in the vacuum vessel. The thermal response to LOCA/LOFA conditions was simulated using transient axisymmetric finite element models. In these analyses, the plasma was quenched three seconds after coolant loss, and the temperature of the chamber components subsequently increased due to the generated decay heat. Thermal simulations determined the maximum temperatures reached in the various components were below the 740°C temperature limit for the reusability of the ferritic steel structure.