Fusion Engineering and Design 166 (2021) 112291

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Fusion Engineering and Design

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/fusengdes

Parameter Study and Dynamic Simulation of the DEMO Intermediate Heat

Transfer and Storage System Design Using MATLAB®/Simulink
Maria-Victoria Bologa *, Evaldas Bubelis , Wolfgang Hering
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Neutron Physics and Reactor Technology (INR), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 76344,
Germany

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords:
DEMOnstration fusion power plant
DEMOnstration balance of plant
Intermediate heat transport and storage system
Indirect Coupling DDesign
This study is carried out within the DEMOnstration Balance of Plant (DEMO BoP) development activities. Despite
the pulsed operation of the Tokamak reactor, a steady energy output of the DEMO BoP need to be ensured. To
fulfil this requirement, a two-tank Intermediate Heat Transport and Storage System (IHTS) with HITEC molten
salt as a heat transfer fluid is applied. The focus of the study is the development of a dynamic simulation model
for the DEMO IHTS using MATLAB®/Simulink. The customized programme block is developed for MATLAB®,
which is used for the simulation of the temperature dependences of HITEC parameters. The influence of tank
geometry and molten salt temperature on the temperature decrease in the IHTS tanks in due course of service
maintenance is studied. The simulation of fluid filling level as well as mass and energy flows through the IHTS
during the pulse and dwell operation is carried out.

1. Introduction guaranteed [9].

Nowadays, coal, oil, and natural gas cover over 80% of the primary
energy demand worldwide [1]. The energy transition strategy for 2050
supposes the increase of energy demand and the decarbonization of the
power sector [2]. According to the World Energy Council, efficient so­
lutions for various tasks, referred to the sustainable energy sector, are
required, including a strong synergy between energy efficiency and
renewable energy, and the development of effective technologies for
sector coupling [3]. As a net-zero carbon technology, nuclear fusion is
expected to offer limitless nuclear energy reserves and inherent safety in
the future. The DEMOnstration Fusion Power Plant (DEMO FPP) will be
launched in the framework of the Roadmap to Fusion Electricity [4,5].
The scope of DEMO is to demonstrate the feasibility of net electrical
power generation of a few hundred MWs from nuclear fusion, including
maintenance systems for achieving appropriate plant availability [6].
The safety and reliability of DEMO FPP operation are the key points of
development [7].
The scope of this study is the development of a dynamic simulation
model for the energy transfer chain of DEMOnstration Balance of Plant
(DEMO BoP). DEMO BoP is designed to utilize the thermal energy from
different internal heat sources [8]. Despite the pulsed operation of the
Tokamak reactor, a steady and controllable energy output needs to be
To fulfil the demands, an Intermediate Heat Transport and Storage
System (IHTS), which includes a two-tank Thermal Energy Storage
system, is proposed [10,11]. In the current work, the results of the
simulation of the DEMO IHTS using MATLAB®/Simulink are presented.
In Section 2 the conceptual design of the DEMO BoP is described. The
DEMO IHTS design and operation parameters are summarized in Section
3. A novel customized programme block for dynamic simulations of
HITEC thermo-physical parameters is developed. In Section 4, the
simulation model for DEMO IHTS using MATLAB®/Simulink is over­
viewed. Section 5 is devoted to the analysis of the results of simulations.
The influence of the IHTS tank geometry and thermo-insulation layer
thickness on the temperature decrease inside IHTS tanks during the
service maintenance is discussed. The tank filling level as well as mass
and energy flows through the storage tanks during the pulse and dwell
operation time are simulated. Section 6 presents the main conclusions of
the study.
2. DEMOnstration Balance of Plant
The development of the DEMO FPP would enable the commercial use
of nuclear fusion [12,13]. The requirements of the fusion power plant
demand effective solutions to various technical challenges in terms of

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: maria-victoria.bologa@kit.edu (M.-V. Bologa).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2021.112291
Received 9 September 2019; Received in revised form 26 January 2021; Accepted 27 January 2021
Available online 8 February 2021
0920-3796/© 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
M.-V. Bologa et al.
the storage, conversion, distribution, and consumption of energy [14,
15]. Coupling of the DEMO FPP to the grid network is already in the
focus of the study [16]. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
participates in the international EUROfusion programme [5], devel­
oping an efficient DEMO BoP design focused on the Helium Cooled
Pebble Bed Breeding Blanket (HCPB BB) design option [9–14]. The
scheme of the actual DEMO BoP concept [11] with the Indirect Coupling
Design (ICD) is presented in Fig. 1. The stationary simulation of the
DEMO BoP using EBSILON® Professional was successful carried out at
the Institute for Neutron Physics and Reactor Technology (INR, KIT)
[18–22].
The DEMO BoP energy transfer chain (Fig. 1) includes the fusion
reactor as heat source, the Primary Heat Transfer System (PHTS), the
Intermediate Heat Transport and Storage System (IHTS), and the Power
Conversion System (PCS). The PCS is coupled via turbo-generator to the
electrical grid. Due to the technical complexity and the high impact of
design integration, efficiency, as well as operational safety and stability,
the R&D focuses on the operation and design optimization of PHTS,
IHTS and PCS [9,10,14].
The Tokamak reactor operates in pulsed mode. A single operation
cycle includes pulse (7200 s) and dwell (600 s) intervals. During the
pulse time, thermal energy of ~2 GWth is generated. The dwell time is
needed for removal of ash and dust from the fusion reactor chamber as
well as the loading of the Central Solenoids [17,18].
The PHTS consists of eight individual cooling loops (Fig. 1). Helium
with an inlet/outlet temperature of 573 K / 793 K flows through heat
exchangers, ensuring the heat transfer from the Tokamak reactor blan­
ket walls to the Thermal Energy Storage system. Each of the eight
Breeding Blankets cooling loops transfers ~274 MW of thermal energy
of through the heat exchangers.
The Energy Storage System (ESS) of IHTS provides the coupling
between the PHTS and PCS (Fig. 1). It comprises the molten salt storage
tanks, circulation pumps, auxiliary systems for water service and treat­
ment, control sensors, diagnostics, ventilation equipment and pipelines
[18]. The DEMO IHTS is used to smooth the generated pulsed plasma
power, ensuring continuous PCS operation with stable power output.
The PCS is the next process step after the IHTS. The heat is trans­
ferred to the steam generator with two stages, that are operated at
nominal pressures of ~58 bar and ~121 bar [18]. The secondary heat
sources, such as Vacuum Vessel (VV), Divertor Cassettes (DIV-Cas) and
Divertor Plasma Facing Units (DIV-PFU), are used for heating the
feedwater on the return line to the steam generator (Fig. 1). To increase
the power output, two fluid re-heaters are installed between the steam
Fig. 1. Conceptual design of the DEMO BoP [11].
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Fusion Engineering and Design 166 (2021) 112291
turbines [18]. Subsequently the steam is returned back into the circuit
through the condenser. The efficiency of the PCS can be increased via
live mean steam extraction for feedwater preheating from high- and
low-pressure turbines, thus enhancing the IHTS operational stability
during the dwell time too [19].
3. DEMO Intermediate Heat Transport and Storage System
The main design challenges of the DEMO BoP are to reduce the risks
during the Tokamak reactor pulse operation, that could damage the
turbines, causing voltage fluctuations in the electrical grid. To reduce
this risk, the DEMO BoP design option includes the indirect coupling of
PHTS to PCS via IHTS [8,18,19]. The two-tank concept supposes the use
of a hot and cold tank, which contains a heat transfer fluid (HTF). The
pumps ensure the flow of the HTF between the tanks and through the
pipelines. During the dwell time, the liquid is pumped from the hot tank
through the PCS steam generator into the cold tank, so that the heat of
the HTF is used for steam generation. This design concept allows
long-term storage of the HTF in the hot tank. Due to the IHTS, the
decoupling of pulse/dwell time is feasible, resulting in the decrease of
fluctuations of mechanical power output [8].
The safe and stable operation of the DEMO IHTS depends both on the
storage system design and heat transfer fluid properties. The literature
survey shows that the molten salts are used successfully in various
technological processes for effective heat transfer. Molten salts have low
viscosity and vapour pressure as well as high density, thermal conduc­
tivity and specific heat capacity [23–28].
In the current study, the HITEC molten salt is used for heat transfer in
the DEMO IHTS. HITEC is an eutectic mixture of water-soluble inorganic
salts with a composition of 53% KNO3 - 40% NaNO2 - 7% NaNO3 [29]. It
is a non-flammable and non-toxic salt mixture [30].
The HITEC melting temperature is 415 K [30] and it could be applied
at temperatures up to 823 K. Due to high melting temperature, the use of
HITEC would impact the maintenance of heating system to prevent salt
solidification below 415 K [31,32].
As the correlations for HITEC molten salt are not included in the
MATLAB® libraries, a customized programme block for dynamic
simulation of HITEC temperature dependent material properties is
developed. For this purpose detail literature survey is carried out which
shows that there are over 30 analytical equations, proposed for
describing the temperature dependency of the HITEC thermo-physical
parameters.
The analytic equation, that describes the temperature dependence of
M.-V. Bologa et al. Fusion Engineering and Design 166 (2021) 112291

the kinematic viscosity ν [N/m] is obtained via 3rd order polynomial
approximation of the relation ν = μ/ρ. The volumetric heat capacity is
defined as the product of the specific heat capacity and density β=cp⋅ρ
[MJ/(m3⋅K)]. The correlation for thermal diffusivity α=k/β [m2/s] is
obtained via the approximation of the numerical data obtained for the k
and β.
The Eq.s (1)–(8) are selected and included into the customized pro­
gramme block for the simulation of HITEC parameters using MATLAB®/
Simulink [33–35,38–41]:
ρ = 2279.799− 0.7324 ⋅ T, (kg/m3) (1)
[33]
μ=exp(-4.343− 2.0143∙[ln(T-273)-5.011]) [Pa⋅s] (2)
[34]
ν = 90.655− 0.3659⋅T-0.5⋅10− 3⋅T2-2⋅10-7⋅T3 (3)
For the simulations, the storage tank roof is a flat dome. The hot tank
and the pipelines, which connect the hot tank with the PHTS and PCS,
are insulated with ProRox® WM950 [45]. The cold tank and the pipe­
lines, which connect the cold tank with PHTS and PCS, are insulated
with KlimaRock® [45].
Tanks are manufactured from stainless steel SS 1.4301 with a Cr and
Ni content of about 18–20% and 8–11%, respectively. The density of the
steel is 7900 kg/m3 at 293 K and its thermal conductivity of 22 W/(m K
at 773 K is chosen [47]. Argon, as cover gas in the storage tanks, is
modelled according to the ideal gas law. Pressure inside the tanks is
assumed to be slightly higher than the ambient one. No leaks and no
chemical reactions of HITEC with the environment are assumed. Inside
the tank, the HITEC surface temperature is 5 K lower than the temper­
ature of bulk salt.
4.2. Dynamic Model of DEMO IHTS Storage Tank

cp = 1.560-(T-273.15)⋅10− 3
[kJ/(kg⋅K)] (4) The schematic view of the DEMO IHTS storage tank model is pre­
sented in Fig. 2. The exchange of heat takes place between the tank and
[35] surroundings. The tank has an inlet port A and outlet port B. The ports V
and L are used as control elements for regulation of liquid volume and
β = 3.9079− 0.0027∙T (5)
level. The thermocouples via port T are used for measuring the HITEC
− 5 2 -8 3
k = 2.2627− 0.01176⋅T+2.551⋅10 ⋅T -1.863⋅10 ⋅T (420 ≤ T<536 K) [W/ temperature in due course inside the tank. The port H belongs to the
(m⋅K)] (6) implementation of heat losses from the storage tank through the insu­
lation to the environment.
[33] For the model the variable-step solver “VariableStepAuto” is
k = 0.4329 + 0.0004⋅T-7⋅10− 7⋅T2 (413 < T < 813 K) (7) selected. The variable-step, implicit solver is better suited for purely
continuous models. It varies the step size during the simulation,
[33] reducing its value. This permits the increase in accuracy, when the states
of dynamic model change rapidly during zero-crossing events. If the
α=-0.0644 + 4⋅10− 4⋅T-3⋅10-7⋅T2 (8)
local error is greater than the acceptable error for any state, the solver
Formulas (4)-(7) are predicted to be decreasing functions with in­ reduces the step size and tries again. The solver “ode23t” is chosen for
crease of molten salt temperature. The dependency α=f(T) shows a the DEMO IHTS model [44]. It includes minimum and maximum step
slight increase in thermal diffusivity with an increase in temperature T size for the model and implements the trapezoidal rule, using a free
up to 633 K and a decrease for T>633 K. The values of thermal con­ interpolant. The default error value 0.001 is used for the model, so that
ductivity α vary between (1.77 ± 0.07)⋅10− 7 m2/s. the computed state is accurate to within 0.1%.
The heat transmission mechanisms play a major role for the losses
4. Description of Dynamic DEMO IHTS Model through the “wetted” wall, which is in contact with the molten salt, and
via the “dry” wall, which is in contact with the cover gas. The heat losses
4.1. Design and Operation Data of DEMO IHTS due to conduction take place via the tank walls and thermo-insulation.
The radiative and convective processes through the tank dome and to
The hot and cold tank are cylindrical steel containers (see Table 1). the environment are also considered. The convection heat losses through
the tank bottom are assumed to be low, so it is not taken into

Fig. 2. DEMO IHTS storage tank model.

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M.-V. Bologa et al. Fusion Engineering and Design 166 (2021) 112291

consideration. For the simulation of heat losses via heat transfer through 5.2. Impact of Thermo-insulation Layer Thickness
the wetted tank bottom as well as the wetted and non-wetted walls and
roof, the blocks for convective, conductive and radiative heat transfer To avoid the cooling of the HITEC molten salt below its critical
from the MATLAB®/Simulink custom library are applied. temperature during service maintenance, the impact of the thickness of
thermo-insulation layer on the temperature development in the IHTS
4.3. Dynamic Simulation Model of DEMO IHTS tanks is analysed. For the simulation, the HITEC freezing point of 415 K
is taken. It is assumed that during the service maintenance, the molten
The scheme of the DEMO IHTS model is shown in Fig. 3. The IHTS is salt temperature in the tanks must remain always well above the
connected with the PHTS via a helium circulating heat exchanger sub­ freezing point. For the IHTS the critical operating temperature of 473 K
system and with the PCS via a steam generator. The model includes is considered [45]. The temperature decrease in the tanks is simulated in
blocks for PHTS cooling loops, 2 storage tanks, pipe heat losses, 2 fixed- due course until the critical value is reached.
displacement pumps and a steam generator. The effects of fluid inertia, The simulations are carried out for the storage tanks with height of
elevation, and external leakage are neglected [44,46]. Regulation of 7.5 m and diameter of 24 m. The min./max. tank filling level of 5/95% is
pressure fluctuations inside the pumps is created via the pump control established. In the cold tank, the initial maximum HITEC temperature
blocks. 543 K and in the hot tank the maximum temperature 763 K is assumed.
The simulations are carried out for variable thermo-insulation layer
5. Simulation results thickness between 0.2− 0.5 m (Figs. 4 and 5).
In the cold tank with 0.2 m thick thermo-insulation, the critical salt
5.1. Influence of Storage Tank Height temperature is reached after ~20 days (Fig. 4). The increase in thermo-
insulation thickness up to 0.5 m results in time increase up to ~45 days.
The increase of tank height rises the manufacturing and maintenance
costs. On the other hand, a larger tank height extends the flexibility for
maintenance of the measurement equipment inside the tanks. The in­
crease in the cold tank height from 7.5 m to 8.4 m (~12% increase)
results in a ~3% increase in the tank mass and ~4.2% rise in mass of the
thermo-insulation material. The rising height of the hot tank from 7.5 m
to 10 m (~33% increase) increases the mass of the tank up to ~8% and
the mass of insulation material up to ~13%. The increased tank height
results in an increase in the tank side–wall area, thar should accelerate
the heat losses due to contact with the environment [41,42]. The sim­
ulations show, that the increase in the height of the cold tank from 7.5 m
to 8.4 m at Tcold,in = 543 K results in a reduction of the time for tem­
perature decrease of ~29%. The increase in the height of the hot tank
from 7.5 m to 10 m at Thot,in = 738 K results in a reduction of time for
the temperature decrease of ~21%. As higher is the tank, as faster the
molten salt is cooled down.
Fig. 4. Temperature development inside cold tank in due course.

Fig. 3. DEMO IHTS dynamic model using MATLAB®/Simulink.

4
M.-V. Bologa et al.
Fig. 5. Temperature development inside hot tank in due course.
The curve for the simulated temperature decrease inside the cold tank
with a thermo-insulation layer thickness of 0.3 m (Fig. 4) is approxi­
mated as
Tcold [K] = -3.4218 t + 567.71. (9)
These results are in good agreement with the data from [42,43],
showing similar, linear decrease of salt temperature. Due to heat loss, for
the hot tank with a thermo-insulation layer thickness of 0.2 m, HITEC
needs ~29 days to reach its critical temperature. About 80 days are
needed for hot tank with the insulation thickness of 0.5 m to reach the
critical salt temperature (Fig. 5). For the temperature decrease inside the
hot tank with 0.3 m thick thermo-insulation layer, a 2nd grade poly­
nomic fit curve is applied:
Thot [K] = 0.1059 t2-10.934 t + 753.08, (10)
where t is the service maintenance time in days. During normal DEMO
operation, a long-term mainte-nance of IHTS system (over 40 days)
could not be expected. The use of thicker layer increases the weight and
the costs of the material. Therefore, for further simulations the thermo-
insulation layer thickness of 0.3 m is selected.
5.3. Dynamic Simulation of Fluid Filling Level
The required conditions for the simulation are defined, when the
circuit operates in a closed loop. The simulation time for one operation
cycle is 7800 s, consisting of 7200 s for pulse operation and 600 s for
dwell time. The thermal energy of the molten salt, accumulated in the
IHTS hot tank, is used for steam generation in the PCS steam generator
during the dwell time.
The results of the simulations are presented in the Fig. 6. During the
Fig. 6. Filling level in IHTS tanks.
5
Fusion Engineering and Design 166 (2021) 112291
pulse operation, the HITEC level in the tanks changes in a gradual way.
During the dwell time, the filling level changes with a steep slope.
The peak hot tank filling level is higher than in the cold tank, what
can be attributed to the temperature dependence of HITEC density. For a
given mass of molten salt, the volume of HITEC in the hot tank is larger
than in the cold tank. In percentage ratio, the peak-to-peak difference of
~5% between the filling levels in the tanks corresponds to the difference
in percentage between the salt density at various temperatures.
The fluid filling level was successfully simulated for 24 h (~11
charge/discharge cycles of Tokamak reactor) confirming the operation
stability of the simulated DEMO IHTS.
5.4. Dynamic Simulation of HITEC Mass Flow
The development of the HITEC mass flow in the DEMO IHTS is
presented in the Fig. 7. In the IHTS the molten salt is pumped using the
corresponding pumps 1 and 2. It is assumed, that HITEC mass flow rate
at the outlet of the cold tank and the inlet of the hot tank is the same. The
same is the HITEC mass flow rate at the outlet of the hot tank and the
inlet of the cold tank.
During the pulse operation (time between 0− 7200 sec), at the outlet
of the cold tank the HITEC mass flow rate is higher (~6660 kg/s) than at
the inlet of the cold tank (~5920 kg/s). Correspondingly, the HITEC
mass flow at the inlet of the hot tank is higher than the salt mass flow at
the tank outlet. These results correlates with the data for the salt filling
level in the tanks (Fig. 6) and are also in a good agreement with the mass
flow values of stationary simulations using EBSILON® [9,18].
Assuming stable operation of pump 1 during the pulse time between
180 s–7050 s (total period of 6870 s), and HITEC mass flow difference of
740 kg/s between the hot tank inlet and outlet, ~5083 tons of molten
salt are stored in the hot tank. The difference between this value and the
initially estimated salt mass of 5040 tons is ~0.9%.
The simulation of HITEC mass flow during the dwell time shows the
increase of mass flow at the outlet of the hot tank up to ~8120 kg/s. The
mass flow rate through the pump 1 strongly decreases to ~418 kg/s.
During the time of 600 s (between 7201 s–7800 s), the HITEC mass flow
rate through pump 2 continuously decreases to ~7840 kg/s (Fig. 7).
Assuming the mean value of HITEC mass flow of ~7980 kg/s, during
the dwell time pump 2 should pump ~4788 tons of salt from the hot
tank through the DEMO PCS to the cold tank. The calculated difference
between the value of the accumulated salt mass (~5083 tons) and the
mass of pumped salt (~4788 tons) is ~305 tons, what corresponds to
~38 s of pump 2 operation with mean salt flow rate of ~7980 kg/s.
5.5. Energy Flow in the DEMO IHTS
For the simulation it is assumed, that ~5040 tons of molten salt are
Fig. 7. Development HITEC mass flow rate at the inlet and outlet of cold tank.
M.-V. Bologa et al. Fusion Engineering and Design 166 (2021) 112291

heated up to 543 K at the beginning of operation and stored in the cold

tank. HITEC flows from PHTS via pipeline 2 (Fig. 3) to IHTS at the
temperature of 738 K. The minimum level of molten salt in the hot tank
at 738 K is 0.7 m. During the pulse operation, the molten salt is pumped
from the cold tank into hot tank, where it is stored at the temperature of
738 K. During the dwell time, the molten salt with a mass of ~5040 tons
is re-pumped via the PCS steam generator from the hot tank into the cold
tank. Here, the molten salt temperature is reduced from 738 K to 543 K.
Therefore, for the thermo-insulated cold tank, practically no change in
energy flow takes place.
The results of the energy flow rates in dependency of Tokamak
operation time at the inlet and outlet of the hot tank are presented in the
Fig. 8. During pulse operation, helium flows through the PHTS heat Fig. 9. Development of heat flow and salt temperature during the
exchangers, where HITEC salt is heated up. So, the augment of salt pulse operation.
temperature results in increase in heat transfer to the hot tank. The
difference of ~0.18 GW between the curves for the energy flow at the
hot tank inlet and outlet during the pulse operation is equivalent to the
heat flow that comes from the stored molten salt in the tank.
If we consider, that the helium mass flow is 1842 kg/s, the specific
heat capacity of gas is 5193 J/(kgK), and temperature difference of
ΔTHe = 220 K, then the theoretical heat flow during the pulse operation
in the DEMO PHTS heat exchangers should be ~2.1 GW (Fig. 9).
For the HITEC mass flow of 6660 kg/s, temperature difference of
ΔTsalt = 195 K and salt specific heat capacity of 1290 J/(kgK), calcu­
lated using the customized programme block, a heat flow of ~1.67 GW
should be theoretically at the inlet of the hot tank (Fig. 9). As a part of
molten salt is accumulated in the hot tank, the heat flow at the outlet of
the tank is ~1.49 GW (Fig. 9). This thermal energy should be transferred
Fig. 10. Development of heat flow and salt temperature during the
from hot storage tank to PCS steam generator. During the dwell time, the dwell operation.
mean mass flow rate of ~7980 kg/s of HITEC molten salt through the
pump 2 is calculated, what is equal to the heat flow of ~2 G W and
decrease of salt temperature in the tank due to heat losses to the envi­
would be transferred to the PCS, see Fig. 10.
ronment should be ~0.9 K. For the dwell operation (~0.007 day), the
During the pulse operation, the theoretical heat flow value of Qin ≈
calculated decrease of the salt temperature in the hot tank due to heat
1.67 GW (Fig. 9) at the inlet of the hot tank is calculated. The simulated
losses to the environment is ~0.08 K.
energy flow at the inlet of hot tank is Ein≈1.76 GW (Fig. 8). Therefore,
The calculated heat losses for the cold tank are Q3 = 0.32 ± 0.03 MW
the difference is ΔEin = Ein - Qin ≈ 90 MW. For the hot tank outlet, the
(HITEC temperature of 543 K) and for the hot tank the heat losses are Q4
theoretically estimated heat flow is Qout ≈ 1.49 GW (Fig. 9) and the
= 0.47 ± 0.03 MW (HITEC temperature of 738 K). The heat losses from
energy flow is Eout ≈ 1.58 GW (Fig. 8). So, the difference again is ΔEout =
the pipelines to the environment, which connect the IHTS with PHTS
Eout - Qout ≈ 90 MW.
and PCS, are not taken into consideration. A power consumption of W1 ≈
The heat energy, being accumulated in the molten salt at 738 K,
2.6 MW and W2 ≈ 3 MW are calculated for pumps 1 and 2, respectively.
inside the pipeline 2 with volume of ~308 m3, is Q1 ≈ 40.5 MW. The
The total energy flow for the hot tank is calculated as the sum of the
heat energy of the molten salt at the minimum tank filling level of 0.7 m
accumulated heat energy (Q1+Q2) in the molten salt, heat losses in tanks
at T = 738 K inside the hot tank is Q2 ≈ 41.6 MW. The hot and the cold
(Q3+Q4) and the power consumption of the pumps (W1+W2):
tanks have similar geometry. The heat losses through the tank walls to
the environment depend rather on the HITEC temperature and the ΔE = ΣQi+ΣWj. (11)
properties of the thermo-insulation material. According to Eq. (10),
during the pulse operation time of 7200 s (~0.083 day), the calculated The difference of ΔE≈ 88.5 MW for the energy flow, both for the hot
tank inlet and outlet (Fig. 8), corresponds well to the theoretically
calculated heat flow of ΔEin ≈ ΔEout ≈ 90 MW, with a deviation of
~1.7%.

6. Conclusions

Fig. 8. Energy flow at the input and output of hot tank with cp,HITEC =
1290 J/(kg⋅K).
The focus of the current study was the dynamic simulation of the
DEMO IHTS. After the comparative analysis of analytical dependencies
and experimental data, analytical equations for HITEC molten salt
thermo-physical parameters are selected. The novel customized pro­
gramme block is developed for the simulation of HITEC properties using
MATLAB®/Simulink.
The influence of the IHTS tanks design parameters and HITEC tem­
perature inside the tanks in dependence of service maintenance time is
investigated. At a constant salt mass, the increase in the height of the
tank results in decrease in time, needed for the molten salt to reach its
critical operational temperature. The increase of the insulation thickness
increases the time of temperature drop, until the critical temperature is
reached. Moreover, the simulations via MATLAB®/Simulink allow the

6
M.-V. Bologa et al.
dynamic evaluation of DEMO IHTS behaviour with good prediction on
mass and energy flows during the DEMO BoP pulse and dwell operation.
The next step of the study will include the development of the dy­
namic simulation model for DEMO BoP energy transfer chain. The re­
sults would be used for optimization of the IHTS design parameters. The
operational efficiency could be enhanced by substituting the commer­
cialized two-tank concept with an innovative, single, thermocline tank
design concept for DEMO IHTS [36,37]. The energy transfer chain
model should be aslo extended with the definition of the required in­
terfaces [48,49] between DEMO and electrical grid.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Maria-Victoria Bologa: Conceptualization, Investigation, Visuali­
zation, Formal analysis, Software, Validation, Writing - original draft.
Evaldas Bubelis: Resources, Formal analysis, Validation. Wolfgang
Hering: Methodology, Supervision, Project administration, Writing -
review & editing.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
the work reported in this paper.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Mr. Joel Oliveira, Master of Science at the Hector
School of Engineering in Karlsruhe, for the fruitful collaboration. The
current study was carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion
Consortium (funding from the Euratom research and training pro­
grammes 2014-2018 and 2019-2020 under grant agreement No
633053). The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily
reflect those of the European Commission.
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