Neutronics Analysis of the ITER In-Vessel Viewing System

TL;DR

This paper presents a neutronics analysis of ITER's In-Vessel Viewing System (IVVS) to evaluate shielding configurations for protecting components and personnel during operation.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed MCNP-based neutronics assessment of various shielding options for the IVVS in ITER.

Findings

Certain shielding configurations effectively reduce radiation exposure.

Design recommendations for shielding placement are proposed.

The analysis supports progressing the IVVS design beyond pre-conceptual stage.

Abstract

The In-Vessel Viewing System (IVVS) in ITER consists of six identical units which are deployed between pulses or during shutdown, to perform visual examination and metrology of plasma facing components. The system is housed in dedicated ports at B1 level, with deployment at the level between the divertor cassettes and the lowermost outboard blanket modules. Boron carbide shielding blocks are envisaged to protect the sensitive components of the IVVS from damage during operations, and personnel from radiation fields. In order to progress the design of the IVVS beyond the pre-conceptual stage, analyses were conducted using MCNP to determine the acceptability of a series of different shielding configurations.