Updated design and integration of the ancillary circuits for the European Test Blanket Systems

The validation of the key technologies relevant for a DEMO Breeding Blanket is one of the main objectives of the design and operation of the Test Blanket Systems (TBS) in ITER. In compliance with the main features and technical requirements of the parent breeding blanket concepts, the European TBM Project is developing the HCLL (Helium Cooled Lithium Lead) and HCPB (Helium Cooled Pebble Bed)-TBS, focusing in this phase on the design life cycle and on R&D activities in support of the design. The TBS ancillary systems are mainly circuits devoted to the removal of thermal power and to the extraction and recovery of the tritium generated in the Test Blanket Modules. They are: • The Helium Cooling System (HCS); • The Coolant Purification System (CPS); • The Tritium Extraction System (HCLL-TRS, HCPB-TES); • The Lead Lithium Loop. Their conceptual design was deeply analyzed during the ITER Conceptual Design Review (CDR) in 2015. The assessment of the CDR was overall positive and recommendations for improvements were made. The present design takes into account the main CDR recommendations as well as the implementation of the requirements related to ITER operation, safety principles application and physical space constrains.