New-Build HELOKA-US platform for balance of Power of DEMO Fusionskraftwerk
HELOKA-US (HELOKA-Upgrade Storage) is a new-build experimental facility designed to provide a test platform for investigating the behaviour of complex heat transfer loops under conditions representative of the DEMO Helium-Cooled Pebble Bed (HCPB) concept.
In this setup, an indirect coupling design is used, where a molten salt loop serves as an intermediate heat transfer system. Its purpose is to act as a thermal buffer between the pulsating power output of the DEMO fusion reactor and the requirements of continuous power generation.
The R&D program focuses on:
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Experimental validation of key components, such as a helium-to-molten salt heat exchanger, and
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Qualification of thermohydraulic (T/H) simulation tools under realistic DEMO operating scenarios.
A two-tank molten salt loop using HITEC (a mixture of 60% NaNO₃ and 40% KNO₃) will be implemented, designed for a thermal power of 260 kW.
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In Phase 1, the system will be powered by an electrical heater.
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In Phase 2, the heat source will be helium gas provided by the existing HELOKA infrastructure.
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The heat sink of the system will be a pressurized water loop.
This facility will provide critical experimental data and system insights that support the development of molten salt-based thermal storage for both fusion energy systems and high-temperature industrial applications.