Analyses of the shielding options for HCPB DEMO blanket

•Shielding capabilities for HCPB and WCLL breeder blanket concepts were assessed with the MCNP code.•The MCNP geometry model used for the analyses are fully heterogeneous.•The tritium breeding capabilities were calculated to be TBR=1.20 for the HCPB and 1.10 for the WCLL DEMOs.•Several shielding options were proposed to enhance the protection of the vacuum vessel behind the HCPB blanket.•The most efficient configuration of the shield was achieved with thick block of metal hydrides or tungsten based compounds (TiH2, ZrH1.6 WC or WB).•The analyses of the steel activation in the vacuum vessel demonstrate deficiency of both concepts to achieve the low-level wastes limit.