Computational Thermal-Hydraulic Analysis of the Helium Inlet Options for the ITER Central Solenoid

A new 3D CFD model has been developed and applied to the hydraulic analysis of three different inlet options for the ITER Central Solenoid. From the point of view of flow repartition among the petals, it appears that shorter, more compact options have even a marginal advantage over a long slit inlet; their hydraulic impedance is larger, but always within the allowable. No overheating associated to low
$n$
value of the Nb3Sn conductor is predicted for either inlet option.