Recent progress in the development of liquid metal plasma facing components for magnetic fusion devices
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: One of the most critical challenges for future fusion reactors is to develop longevity plasma-facing components (PFCs) exposed to extremely high heat and neutron loads. As opposed to those employing solid metals, PFCs with flowing liquid metals (LM) have shown self-healing, heat removal and good impurity control capabilities, all essential to fusion devices. Recently, significant progress in LM-PFC development has been reported globally, with data from several magnetic fusion devices. These studies reveal that LM-PFCs can endure extreme heat fluxes while maintaining plasma compatibility. New design concepts have been proposed and numerically analyzed, advancing models for liquid PFCs in future reactors. Despite existing technical challenges, these developments suggest that LM-PFCs hold promise for future fusion applications.
Source: Nuclear Materials and Energy
Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Hefei University of Technology, Sichuan University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Institute of Energy, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Chubu University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,840
OpenAlex ID: W4403540914