HCLL and HCPB coolant purification system: Design of the copper oxide bed

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design Vol. 86; no. 9; pp. 1859 - 1862
• Main Authors: Liger, K., Lefebvre, X., Ciampichetti, A., Aiello, A., Ricapito, I.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Controled nuclear fusion plants; COOLANTS; COPPER OXIDE; Copper oxides; Design engineering; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; EXTRACTIVE METALLURGY; GETTERING; HELIUM; IMPURITIES; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; ITER; Matlab; OXIDATION; OXIDES; PURIFICATION; Tritium; Tritium; ITER; Purification; Helium; Tokamak; Coolant; Impurity; Carbon dioxide; Oxides; Pressure; Molecular sieve; Operating conditions; Nuclear fusion reactor; Blanket; Cooling system; Software; Oxidation; Copper
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2011.03.002

The coolant purification system (CPS) together with the tritium extraction system (TES) and helium cooling system (HCS) are the principal auxiliary circuits of helium-cooled-lithiium–lead (HCLL) and helium-cooled-pebble-bed (HCPB) test blanket modules (TBMs). To extract heat from TBMs, Helium is used as primary coolant. CPS is used to extract tritium from the helium primary circuit as well as to guarantee removal of impurities which could interact with structural material. The reference process proposed for CPS is composed of 3 main successive steps. Step 1 consists in oxidation of Q 2 and CO to Q 2O and CO 2 using a copper oxide bed ( Q represents either: H, D or T). Step 2 is dedicated to the removal of water which is adsorbed together with CO 2 on molecular sieve bed. Step 3 will remove residual impurities using a heated getter. Based on the operating conditions of CPS (pressure, flowrate, temperature) and on an estimation of the impurities foreseen, this paper presents a design of the oxidising bed which fulfils all requirements in terms of efficiency and lifespan. The design is obtained using a phenomenological approach taking into account competition between oxidation of CO and Q 2 on the metal oxide. The model was implemented in matlab software. A column of 0.41 m large and 2 m long containing 480 kg of CuO is proposed to assure complete oxidation of Q 2 for 16 months long.