Structural optimization of the blanket firstwall to reduce thermal stress using the Taguchi method

The first wall of a fusion reactor blanket faces the core plasma directly. The first wall endures high heat loads that lead to high thermal stresses. To ensure the reliability of the first wall structure, it is desirable to reduce the thermal stress. In this study, structural optimization of the blanket first wall was carried out using the Taguchi method. The finite element method was used to conduct a numerical simulation to investigate the thermo-mechanical responses of the blanket first wall. The optimal configuration of the blanket first wall was derived. © 2014 The Japan Society of Plasma Science and Nuclear Fusion Research.