Speaker
Description
Xiao-Ying Yu*, Yutai Katoh, Takaaki Koyanagi, German Samolyuk, Osetskiy, Yuri, and Weicheng Zhong
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
The fusion energy sciences program at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) contributes in a wide range of technical areas to support fusion reactor development. In particular, topics related to the fusion blanket and fuel cycle are among the major thrusts in materials science and technology development at ORNL. Although several specific tritium breeding concepts and their materials needs have been explored, uncertainties remain on the requirements and solutions for the materials needed for the blanket components. Multiple engineering challenges are imposed by the harsh operating environment of neutron exposure, high temperature and stresses, and evolving material property changes due to the irradiation environment. We will present recent updates and progress on our research activities of specific interest for the ceramic breeder blanket concepts. The talk will cover several research topics: 1) neutron irradiation effects in lithium ceramic breeding materials, 2) silicon carbide for electrical insulation, thermal insulation and tritium permeation control, 3) tritium surrogate diffusion behavior under fusion-relevant conditions, 4) atomistic modeling to improve understanding of solid breeders, and 5) advanced manufacturing of ceramics of high potential for adoption in fusion reactors. Currently active work includes a) atomistic modeling of structural stability and tritium trapping/detrapping in irradiated Li2TiO3 and Li2ZrO3, b) hydrogen isotope permeation and trapping in candidate membrane, and c) upcoming opportunities of the FIRE center research activities that will focus on tritium breeding, accountancy, and breeder material development and validation in the US. Future expansion will include irradiation experiments to examine the stability and properties of lithium ceramics using the established capabilities of the HFIR reactor and our suite of PIE testing and characterization equipment.
