Numerical investigation of two-dimensional buoyancy-driven eddies in liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic flows in breeding blankets *

Suarez, Daniel; Iraola, Eduardo; Serrat, Joaquim

doi:10.1088/1361-6587/adbcd4

Numerical investigation of two-dimensional buoyancy-driven eddies in liquid metal magnetohydrodynamic flows in breeding blankets ^*

Journal Article · Mon Mar 17 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/adbcd4· OSTI ID:2531007

; ; Serrat, Joaquim

Abstract

Lead–lithium flows are key features in the design of tokamak breeding blanket concepts such as the dual-coolant lead–lithium (DCLL). Since they flow under magnetic fields, they are affected by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects. The neutron flux originating in the tokamak plasma heats the breeding blanket channels in a non-uniform manner, inducing buoyancy forces in the liquid metal. Buoyancy may become a source of quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) turbulence, and the appearance of eddies may affect the transport of heat and tritium across the blanket. Blankets characterized by high-speed liquid metal flows (such as DCLL) will need ceramic insulating walls to reduce the MHD-related pressure drop in the channels. In our simulations, we have used the Q2D model proposed by Sommeria and Moreau (SM82) which is especially suitable for modeling electrically insulating channel flows. On top of that, we have modelled buoyancy forces in the momentum equation using the Oberbeck–Boussinesq approximation. In this work, we include a validation of the implemented Q2D model in buoyancy-driven cases and identify a thermohydraulic configuration that promotes the generation of eddies and the accumulation of tritium. We also show the results provided by our post-processing tool based on the bi-dimensional fast Fourier transform for eddy detection and characterization. We complete our investigation by performing an initial assessment of how eddies can accumulate tritium in the breeding blanket. We conclude by discussing the relevance of preventing accumulation of tritium within the blanket and suggest a possible solution.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 2531007

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2527367

Journal Information:: Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Journal Name: Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 67; ISSN 0741-3335

Publisher:: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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