Diverter Heat Exchanger Design for UK Atomic Energy Authority
By Engaged Expert
Rob KulkaRob is a chartered mechanical engineer with over 15 years’ experience in structural integrity assessment and asset management, through the use of complex computational analysis, damage tolerance assessment, mechanical testing, and safety case development.
The Customer
STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is a UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) program that will demonstrate the ability to generate net electricity from fusion, with the aim of becoming the first commercial fusion plant in operation.
The Challenge
The Element Digital Engineering team with expertise in the use of numerical modeling for flow and thermal design entered and won a competition to design the diverter heat exchanger for the new plant. The team entered the competition in partnership with HiETA Technologies, product development and production company specializing in the use of metal 3-D printing, known as Additive Manufacturing (AM). Three other companies were also awarded contracts, with the best design progressing to trial.
The Solution
The diverter heat exchanger forms part of the wall in the very hottest part of the fusion chamber. HiETA’s expertise includes the use of AM for heat exchangers and the initial concept was for a complex, recuperative design achieved using AM optimized by in-depth numerical modeling and analysis. Intensive computational modeling homed in on a layout that would meet all aspects of the requirement – thermal performance, fatigue and creep life.
The Result
The design and analysis work was completed sufficiently quickly that HiETA was able to produce a test piece within the overall three-month project duration. The design was judged to be the most promising of the four alternatives and is now in the test phase.
To learn more about Diverter Heat Exchanger Design for UK Atomic Energy Authority, or if you have any questions, contact our team today.
Find related Resources
Related Services
Digital Engineering Case Studies
Read examples of how Element Digital Engineering utilize modeling, simulation, and other digital tools to help our customers innovate and solve complex challenges.
Modeling and Simulation
We specialize in modeling and simulation to accelerate your research and development initiatives, optimize your designs and support safe, efficient operations.
Data Science and Machine Learning
We combine state-of-the-art data science and machine learning to provide insights that help you improve performance and increase productivity.
Join The Digital Engineering Team
Element Digital Engineering is growing fast. We work at the forefront of Element's digital transition, delivering insight, guidance and answers to complex engineering and technology challenges. Start your Element journey today!