Conceptual design of a 3D printed liquid lithium divertor test modular for EAST

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design Vol. 202; p. 114376
• Main Authors: Sun, Zhe, Qian, Xinyuan, Wang, Siyao, Peng, Xuebing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2024
• Subjects: Capillary porous system; EAST; Liquid metal divertor; Lithium; Structure design; Lithium; Structure design; Liquid metal divertor; EAST; Capillary porous system
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2024.114376

•Providing feasible designs for exploring vapor shielding effects in the EAST.•3D-printed inverse opal structures wetted with Li as capillary porous system.•Novel approach to enhancing power handling capability.•Novel design approach for capillary porous systems and ideas for component layout. The utilization of Liquid Metal Divertor (LMD) stands as a promising prospect for the divertor component in DEMO. To explore the vapor shielding effect and provide technical accumulation for the development of DEMO LMD, the imperative development of a high-performance LMD test module has arisen. The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) has amassed substantial expertise in LM first wall design and experimentation, rendering it suitably equipped for experimental pursuits. Therefore, this paper aims to design a test module running in the mid-plane of EAST to accumulate technical experience for the application of 3D printed capillary porous system (CPS) in LMD. Drawing upon prior experience, specific design requirements are articulated. Lithium is chosen as the operational LM due to its favorable balance between heat dissipation capacity and compatibility with the core plasma. The conceptual design encompasses active water cooling components, a CPS, and a lithium channel. Thermal analysis is conducted to ascertain the prevention of excessive evaporation or frozen during operation. The maximum power handling capacity of this design is projected, with practical solutions outlined for inter-component thermal management. The results affirm the viability of this design within the thermal load parameters of the EAST experiment, offering invaluable insights for designers exploring diverse LMD configurations.