Simulations of the ITER Toroidal Field Coil operation with the VINCENTA code

Time-dependent thermal-hydraulic analyses of the ITER Toroidal Field (TF) Coils have been performed with a quasi-3D model based on the VINCENTA code. Two primary cooling loops are considered for the case and the winding pack respectively, each of them including a circulation pump and a heat exchanger. The conductor pancakes are cooled in parallel in the winding pack loop, as are the cooling channels in the case loop. Temperature, pressure and velocity of the helium coolant are computed in these channels by the VINCENTA code. This provides boundary conditions for the thermal coupling to 2D heat diffusion carried out in the coil sections. A range of plasma scenarios including plasma disruptions has been simulated. The deposited heat due to ac losses in the conductor, eddy current losses in the structure, thermal radiation, thermal conduction, and nuclear heating, are given as input data. The model has been updated according to recent design changes. It also includes new features such as the calculation of the local electric field along the conductor when operating in the current sharing regime. The main analysis results are presented showing the impact of design and operating parameters. The analysis has been applied to confirm that the range of strand losses and cable coupling losses are acceptable for the conductor.