Experiments of continuously and stably flowing lithium limiter in EAST towards a solution for the power exhaust of future fusion devices

Liquid lithium (Li) can partly ameliorate lifetime and power-exhaust issues of plasma facing components (PFCs) by enabling a self-healing, self-replenishing surface with a reduced susceptibility to neutron damage in future fusion devices. To assess operational stability and heat-exhaust capability u...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: J.S. Hu, G.Z. Zuo, R. Maingi, Z. Sun, K. Tritz, W. Xu, Q.X. Yang, D. Andruczyk, M. Huang, X.C. Meng, X.Z. Gong, D.N. Ruzic, M.J. Ni, B.N. Wan, J.G. Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2019-01-01
Series:Nuclear Materials and Energy
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352179118301479
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Summary:Liquid lithium (Li) can partly ameliorate lifetime and power-exhaust issues of plasma facing components (PFCs) by enabling a self-healing, self-replenishing surface with a reduced susceptibility to neutron damage in future fusion devices. To assess operational stability and heat-exhaust capability under tokamak exposure, two generations of continuously flowing liquid Li (FLiLi) limiters on the concept of a thin flowing Li film have been successfully designed and tested in high performance discharges in EAST. The design uses a circulating Li layer with a thickness of <0.1 mm and a flow rate ∼2 cm3s−1. In addition, the limiter employs a novel electro-magnetic pump to drive liquid Li flow from a collector at the bottom of the limiter into a distributor at its top. Free surface gravitational flow closes the loop for a continuously flowing liquid Li film on the wetted PFC. Here we summarize key FLiLi limiter development and experimental results in H-mode plasmas. Keywords: Limiter, Lithium, Plasma facing component, EAST
ISSN:2352-1791