RFX first wall thermal power handling: 3D numerical models and experimental validations

One of the emerging issues for future thermonuclear devices is the non-uniform power deposition on the first wall or divertor surfaces. The localized peaks of power are detrimental both for the lifetime of the plasma facing components and for plasma heating and confinement. The thermal monitoring of the first wall can be done with temperature measurements acquired during the experiments by means of thermocouples and/or infrared camera images. If the measurement system is integrated with analytical or numerical models, it is possible to estimate the applied thermal loads and to obtain a thorough knowledge of the thermal behaviour of the first wall and vacuum vessel system. The numerical model developed for the RFX machine is hereby described and validated by means of comparisons with IR camera and thermocouple temperature measurements.