Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have developed a cutting-edge system using liquid metal to draw away excess heat from fusion reactors. Fusion vessels have a challenge of needing to be hot enough to generate power without damaging the vessel itself. The system involves flowing liquid lithium up and down a series of slats in the vessel’s tiles to protect components facing the plasma and absorb excess heat.
The liquid metal is exposed to the plasma briefly as it travels across the top edge of a thin slat before flowing down a channel and cooling. Experiments on the prototype of this cooling system have shown promising results, with the liquid metal being displaced almost immediately to keep absorbing heat. This innovative system aims to efficiently draw away heat without requiring excessive power to keep the liquid metal flowing.
Future iterations of the prototype will involve optimizing the geometry of the slats, potentially moving from copper to 3D-printed tungsten, and investigating systems for flowing lithium in and out of the divertorlet. The potential benefits of this system go beyond temperature control, with lithium reducing the recycling of hydrogen particles and helping the plasma maintain high temperatures.
The researchers at PPPL are excited for the future possibilities of their divertorlet system and are dedicated to further optimizing and advancing this technology for practical use in fusion reactors.
