Research Needs for Magnetic Fusion Energy Sciences - US Burning ...

Power Extraction
• significant advance in predictive capabilities in key areas including, for example: coupling
of cad models with neutron and photon transport codes; developing 2-d and 3-d liquid
metal magnetohydrodynamics (mhd) numerical methods and simulation tools coupled
with heat transfer simulations capable of exploring very complex liquid metal blanket
flow physics; dynamic models of tritium fuel cycle behavior (a key need to assess tritium
self sufficiency); and melcoR safety analysis code for power extraction components.
• conception and initial development of the dual coolant lead lithium (dcll) blanket
concept, providing a potential pathway to high outlet temperature and high efficiency
power conversion with current generation reduced activation materials. The dcll is a
significant driver of current research and international collaborations on silicon carbide
(sic) development and irradiation experiments, mhd experiments and simulations of
flow control and heat transfer, and tritium behavior in lead lithium alloys.
• models and experimental validation of tritium release from and thermal conductivity of
glass-like ceramic breeder particle beds.
• First in-depth joint technology and physics investigation of the behavior of innovative
liquid surface wall and divertor concepts. These were done as part of research programs,
alPs and aPeX, that led to a much deeper understanding of issues and designs, as well
as continuing experiments with lithium surfaces in confinement devices in the Us and
abroad.
• development of conceptual designs of attractive magnetic fusion energy power plants,
including advanced divertor and blanket concepts for high-efficiency power generation
(helping identify key R&d).
• initial designs and analysis of iteR test blanket module experiments for both the lead
lithium and ceramic breeder blanket systems to fully utilize the first long pulse fusion
environment for investigating power extraction component behavior and phenomena.
Materials Science
• advances in the development of reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic steels with good
thermal conductivity and thermal stress parameter, resistance to swelling at high dose,
and with well-developed manufacturing technology for nuclear applications.
• addressing key scientific questions concerning nanocomposited ferritic alloys. These
alloys possess excellent high-temperature strength and show significant promise for
mitigating the damaging effects of neutron irradiation, including the potential to tolerate
high levels of transmutation-produced gases such as helium and hydrogen.
• exploring the application of reinforced silicon carbide materials. While only a relatively
small fraction of the fusion materials science research portfolio, the effort on fiber
reinforced silicon carbide composites has demonstrated tremendous potential. These
truly low-activation materials have both structural and functional applications in fusion
power systems.
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