Cooling of plasma-facing components

Abstract

A plasma-facing component for a plasma chamber includes a plasma-facing target surface, an inlet through which to receive a coolant fluid and an outlet through which to discharge the coolant fluid, and a plurality of internal cooling channels. Each cooling channel is connected to the inlet by a plurality of feed channels configured to direct coolant fluid to regions of the walls of the cooling channel, and to the outlet by a plurality of return channels. The respective openings of the feed channels and return channels into the cooling channels are arranged in non-overlapping repeating units along the length of the cooling channels. Each unit includes at least one opening of a feed channel and at least one opening of a return channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to plasma-facing components used in plasma chambers, such as plasma chambers in tokamak devices. In particular, but not exclusively, this invention relates to cooling components, such as divertors and / or limiters, used in plasma chambers to remove waste and heat from the plasma. The invention can also be used in beam collectors for absorbing energy from beams of photons and / or charged particles, or in rocket engines. Background Technology

[0002] A divertor is a device that allows waste and heat to be removed from plasma confined within a plasma chamber (such as the plasma chamber of a tokamak device). In the case of a tokamak device, a magnetic field is typically used to confine the plasma at very high temperatures. However, during the operation of a tokamak device, particles slowly and randomly diffuse out of the plasma and eventually impact the walls of the plasma chamber, transferring a significant amount of heat to the walls and causing heavier ions to be ejected from the walls into the plasma. To minimize this problem, particles that would otherwise escape the plasma can be purposefully directed onto the plasma-facing surface of the divertor. When this occurs, a very high heat flux is applied to the divertor. Therefore, the divertor must be cooled effectively.

[0003] exist Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a poloidal section passing through one side of an exemplary tokamak device. The tokamak device 100 includes a toroidal plasma chamber 101. Poloidal magnetic field coils generate a poloidal magnetic field to confine the plasma, which circulates around the central column of the tokamak device. If there are no collisions between plasma particles, turbulence, waves, or other similar phenomena, the plasma (made of charged particles) will be effectively "bound" to the magnetic field lines. Figure 1The mid-plane is represented as the constant poloidal flux line 113. Inside the "core" of the plasma, it is said that the plasma is confined to the constant poloidal flux line, which is closed, hence the term "closed flux surface". However, through collisions and other such processes, particles in the plasma slowly diffuse out of the core of the plasma. The "last closed flux surface" 111 has a zero point 112 at one end (typically the lower end), which defines the edge of the confined core. The flux line 114 immediately outside the core of the plasma ("scrape-off layer") intersects two surfaces below the zero point 112, which are: the outer (i.e. radially outer) divertor surface 121 (in this example at the bottom of the channel in the lower part of the plasma chamber) and the inner (i.e. radially inner) divertor surface 122. Waste particles and heat energy are deposited onto these surfaces, with the majority of the waste particles and heat energy falling on the outer divertor surface (the precise division between inner and outer depends on the turbulence physics within the scrape-off layer). The divertor surfaces are composed of elements with relatively low atomic number (to avoid contamination of the plasma by high atomic number ions through sputtering and other such erosion processes), which are metals. Suitable metals include tungsten, molybdenum, beryllium, lead-lithium, or lithium. The highest heat loads within the tokamak device occur at the divertor surfaces 121, 122, and can typically exceed 10 MW per square metre.

[0004] Previous ideas for cooling the divertor are described in J H You, "A review on two previous divertor target concepts for DEMO: Mutual impact between structural design requirements and materials performance" (https: / / doi.org / 10.1088 / 0029-5515 / 55 / 11 / 113026). They include: flowing water through cooling tubes made of copper, chromium and zinc alloys that pass through tungsten blocks; and "multi-jet impingement modular fingers" cooled using helium, in which jets of pressurised helium are directed to the inner surface of a cannula structure embedded in a tungsten brick.

[0005] Another plasma-facing component that can be used to remove charged particles from the plasma is a so-called limiter, which provides a plasma-facing target surface inside the plasma chamber that limits the extent of the plasma along a particular (e.g. radial) direction. SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a plasma-facing component for a plasma chamber. The plasma-facing component comprises: a plasma-facing target surface; an inlet through which to receive a coolant fluid and an outlet through which to discharge the coolant fluid; and a plurality of internal cooling channels. Each cooling channel is connected to the inlet by a plurality of feed channels and to the outlet by a plurality of return channels. The feed channels are each configured to direct coolant fluid to a region of a wall of the cooling channel. The respective openings of the feed channels and the return channels into the cooling channel are arranged along the length of the cooling channel in non-overlapping repeating units, each unit comprising at least one opening of a feed channel and at least one opening of a return channel.

[0007] The arrangement of the openings of the feed channels and the openings of the return channels provides a fluid flow regime for the coolant fluid which allows heat to be efficiently transferred to the coolant fluid along the length of the cooling channel. The repeating unit can be a pair of the openings of the feed channels and the openings of the return channels such that these openings alternate in sequence between a feed channel opening and a return channel opening (i.e. feed, return, feed, return, etc.). Any number of repeating units can be provided along the length of each cooling channel, for example more than 10 units, or more than 50 units, or more than 100 units.

[0008] The repeating unit can be a pair of the openings of the feed channels and the openings of the return channels.

[0009] The spacing between successive feed channel openings along the length of the cooling channel can be from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, preferably from 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm.

[0010] The spacing between adjacent feed channel openings and return channel openings along the length of the cooling channel can be from 0.50 mm to 2.00 mm.

[0011] Each of the feed channels and / or the return channels can comprise a straight portion which joins the cooling channel at a right angle.

[0012] The coolant fluid can be directed onto the region of the wall of each cooling channel from another region of the cooling channel opposite the region.

[0013] The region of the wall of each of the cooling channels onto which the coolant fluid is directed can be provided on a side of that cooling channel adjacent to the target surface.

[0014] The width or diameter of each cooling channel can be greater than the width or diameter of the corresponding feed channels and / or return channels.

[0015] The respective feed channels or the respective return flow channels for each of the cooling channels can be coplanar with each other.

[0016] The length of each cooling channel can extend parallel to the target surface. The cooling channels can be parallel to each other.

[0017] The component can comprise a plurality of stacked layers, each of the cooling channels extending continuously through the layers, each layer comprising a respective feed channel and / or a respective return flow channel for each of the cooling channels.

[0018] The plasma-facing target surface can be provided by edges of the stacked layers. Alternatively, the plasma-facing target surface can be provided as a layer extending across edges of the stacked layers.

[0019] The feed channel and / or the return flow channel of each layer can be provided as a recess in that layer, and another layer adjacent to the layer extending across the recess to seal the recess.

[0020] The feed channel and / or the return flow channel of each layer can be provided as a through-hole extending through that layer, and respective other layers on either side of the layer extending across the through-hole to seal the through-hole.

[0021] The inlet and the outlet can be provided as channels extending through each of the layers.

[0022] The cooling channels, and the feed channels and the return flow channels of each layer are provided in one of two mirror image arrangements with each other.

[0023] The thickness of each plate can be in the range from 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably from 1 mm to 2 mm. The width or diameter of each of the cooling channels can be in the range from 0.50 mm to 3.00 mm, preferably from 1.00 mm to 2.00 mm. The width or diameter of each of the feed channels and / or the return flow channels is in the range from 0.20 mm to 1.50 mm, preferably from 0.60 mm to 1.40 mm.

[0024] Each of the layers can be a plate made from one or more metals or alloys, however preferably each plate uses a single metal or a single alloy. In one embodiment, each of the plates is made from the same metal or alloy, such as tungsten or molybdenum. Opposing faces of the plates can be joined together by direct bonding. Alternatively, the component can be provided as a monolithic piece made from a metal or an alloy.

[0025] The metal or alloy, or each metal or alloy, can have a melting point higher than 1850 degrees Celsius, preferably higher than 2200 degrees Celsius.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the application, there is provided a method of manufacturing a component for a plasma chamber, the method comprising: controlling an additive manufacturing apparatus to manufacture a component according to the first aspect.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the application, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control a manufacturing apparatus (e.g. an additive manufacturing apparatus) to manufacture a plasma-facing component according to the first aspect.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect of the application, there is provided a tokamak device plasma chamber comprising a plasma-facing component according to the first aspect.

[0029] According to a fifth aspect of the application, there is provided a method of removing heat and / or waste during operation of a plasma chamber according to the fourth aspect. The method comprises:

[0030] magnetically confining a plasma within the tokamak device plasma chamber;

[0031] directing ions from the plasma onto the target surface of the plasma-facing component; and

[0032] cooling the component by flowing a coolant fluid through the plasma-facing component between the inlet and the outlet.

[0033] The plasma-facing component of any of the above aspects can be, for example, a divertor or a limiter. A limiter can extend from a wall of a plasma chamber into the plasma chamber to limit the extent of the plasma in a particular direction (e.g. a radial direction), for example. The component of any of the above aspects can also be a plasma-facing first wall structure (or "blanket") for covering an internal surface of a plasma chamber (or form part of it). For example, the component can be a tile or panel which forms part of a plasma-facing first wall (preferably in combination with a plurality of similar tiles or panels to form the plasma-facing first wall).

[0034] According to a sixth aspect of the application, there is provided a beam dump for absorbing energy from a beam of photons (e.g. a laser beam) and / or charged particles (e.g. a beam generated by a charged particle accelerator (e.g. a LINAC or a synchrotron)). The beam dump comprises a beam-facing target surface for receiving the beam; an inlet and an outlet through which to receive and expel a coolant fluid, respectively. The beam dump further comprises a plurality of internal cooling channels, each cooling channel being connected to the inlet by a plurality of feed channels and to the outlet by a plurality of return channels, the feed channels being configured to direct coolant fluid to regions of the walls of the cooling channels, the respective openings of the feed channels and the return channels into the cooling channels being arranged in non-overlapping repeating units along the length of the cooling channels, each unit comprising at least one opening of a feed channel and at least one opening of a return channel.

[0035] According to a seventh aspect of the application, there is provided a rocket engine comprising: an internal wall defining a combustion chamber for combusting a propellant; and a nozzle through which to expel exhaust gases from the combustion chamber. The rocket engine further comprises: an inlet and an outlet through which to receive and expel a coolant fluid, respectively; and a plurality of internal cooling channels for cooling the wall defining the combustion chamber and / or the nozzle, each cooling channel being connected to the inlet by a plurality of feed channels and to the outlet by a plurality of return channels, the feed channels being configured to direct coolant fluid to regions of the walls of the cooling channels, the respective openings of the feed channels and the return channels into the cooling channels being arranged in non-overlapping repeating units along the length of the cooling channels, each unit comprising at least one opening of a feed channel and at least one opening of a return channel.

[0036] The sixth and seventh aspects can include the optional features mentioned above in relation to the first aspect, wherein the beam dump or rocket engine replaces a plasma-facing component. For example, the beam dump or rocket engine can comprise a plurality of stacked layers, each of the cooling channels extending continuously through the layers, each layer comprising respective feed channels and / or return channels for each of the cooling channels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic poloidal cross-section of a tokamak device with a single-null divertor;

[0038] Figure 2A is a schematic perspective view of a segment of a divertor according to the application;

[0039] Figure 2B is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the section of the defilter taken along the line A-A' in Figure 2A

[0040] Figure 2D and Figure 2E is a schematic perspective view of a metal sheet that can be joined together to form a section of the defilter shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] When a coolant fluid flows over a surface, the flow rate of the coolant fluid is very small in close proximity to the surface, such that the fluid flow relative to the surface is typically described as having a "no-slip" boundary condition (i.e., effectively zero flow rate at the surface). Fluid moving in close proximity to the surface forms a "boundary layer" of slow-moving flow. The laminar flow within this boundary layer reduces the efficiency of heat transfer from the surface by the coolant fluid. In some cases, more efficient heat transfer from a surface can be achieved by "jet impingement," in which a jet of coolant fluid at high pressure is directed directly at the surface being cooled. The present disclosure provides an arrangement that uses jet impingement in combination with flow along a cooling channel to cool a very large surface area or surface area within a defilter. In particular, a plurality of "microchannels" are formed within the body of the defilter, and a feed channel arranged in an array is disposed along the length of each microchannel, the feed channels opening into the microchannels and being used to direct jets of coolant fluid at the interior walls of the microchannels. The coolant fluid that has been heated by contact with the interior wall(s) of the microchannels is then removed from the microchannels through a return channel arranged in an array. The feed channels and return channels are arranged in an alternating pattern or sequence along the length of the microchannels (e.g., a sequence consisting of alternating feed channel openings and return channel openings along the length of the microchannels). This arrangement allows for the formation of a high density of jets within each microchannel, which can provide a fluid flow condition that allows for efficient transfer of heat to the coolant fluid. This fluid flow condition can include fluid flow along the body of the channel in combination with fluid flow created by the jet impingement. In some cases, the jet impingement can improve cooling efficiency by disrupting the boundary layer associated with the flow of coolant fluid along the microchannels.

[0042] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A section of the defilter 200 formed by a stack of the sheets 202, 204 is shown. Although only a first sheet 200 and a second sheet 204 of the sheets are shown in the figure, the defilter 200 includes a plurality of such sheets stacked one on top of the other, face-to-face, i.e., the first sheet 200 and the second sheet 204 together form a section of the defilter 200 along the line A-A' in Figure 2A ​​“cells” of the Z-directional repetition indicated in FIGS. 1-3. For clarity, the first and second plates 202, 204 are shown separately in Figure 2D and Figure 2E FIGS. 1-3.

[0043] Figure 2A The uppermost surface of the skimmer 200 in FIGS. 1-3 is a target surface 206 that receives ions and heat flux 208 (along the Y-direction) that escape from the plasma when the skimmer 200 is in use. Below the target surface 206 are a plurality of cooling channels 210A-H, in this case eight cooling channels 210A-H, that extend through the skimmer 200 in a direction parallel to the target surface 206 (i.e., parallel to the direction in which the plates 202, 204 are stacked, in this case along the Z-direction). The cooling channels 210A-H are arranged in a line parallel to the target surface 206, and are spaced equidistantly apart from one another, and each cooling channel is at the same depth relative to the target surface 206. This arrangement allows for a high density of cooling channels 210A-H to be provided close to the target surface 206. Other arrangements of the cooling channels 210A-H can also be used, for example the cooling channels can be arranged to have different depths relative to the target surface 210A-H, for example in a close-packed or honeycomb configuration including multiple layers of cooling channels 210A-H, in order to increase the density of cooling channels 210A-H provided close to the target surface 206.

[0044] The skimmer 200 also includes an inlet channel 212 and an outlet channel 214 that extend through each of the plates 202, 204 of the stack. In use, coolant fluid (e.g., helium gas) is provided to the inlet channel 212 under pressure, and then conveyed through a plurality of feed channels 216A-H to each of the cooling channels 210A-H, each feed channel extending from the inlet channel 212 to one of the plurality of cooling channels 210A-H within the first plate 202. The inlet channel 212 is sized (e.g., diameter) larger than each of the feed channels 216A-H, such that the inlet channel 212 can provide coolant fluid to a greater number of feed channels 216A-H simultaneously. The feed channels 216A-H are angularly spaced about the inlet channel 212 (i.e., the feed channels 216A-H "fan out" from the inlet channel 212) so as to reach cooling channels 210A-H that are further from the inlet channel 212. In this case, the feed channels 216A-H are generally spaced from one another to maximize the thickness of the wall between them. However, other arrangements can be used as circumstances warrant. For example, one or more of the feed channels 216A-H can branch from another one of the feed channels 216A-H. In the present case, the feed channels 216A-H each have a straight section that extends at a right angle away from their respective cooling channels 210A-H, with the straight sections of each of the channels 216A-H aligned parallel to one another. Coolant gas is directed through the cooling channels 210A-H, and impinges on the side of the cooling channels 210A-H closest to the target surface 206, as that side is generally the hottest side of the cooling channels 210A-H. The pressure of the coolant fluid supplied to the inlet channel 212 is generally selected so that the coolant fluid is directed into the cooling channels 210A-H as a jet. While the feed channels 216A-H are shown as being straight, it is understood that other configurations can be used as circumstances warrant. For example, the feed channels 216A-H can be curved, or can have other configurations. Figure 2A and Figure 2B It is shown that each cooling channel 210A-H has a single feed channel 216A-H and return channel 218A-H, but it is understood that more than two plates 202, 204 can be used in practice, such that each cooling channel 210A-H has multiple pairs of feed channels 216A-H and return channels 218A-H along the length of the cooling channel.

[0045] As Figure 2D and Figure 2E shown, the second plate 204 ( Figure 2E ) is the first plate ( Figure 2D) mirror image in the YZ plane, which simplifies the manufacture of the bias filter 200. The second plate 204 includes a plurality of return flow channels 218 configured to return coolant fluid from each of the cooling channels 210A-H to the outlet channel 214, which is at a lower pressure than the inlet channel 212, such that there is a net flow of coolant fluid from the inlet channel 212 through the feed channels 216A-H to the cooling channels 210A-H and from the cooling channels 210A-H through the return flow channels 218A-H to the outlet channel 214.

[0046] As can be seen from Figure 2B As can be most clearly seen, the feed channels 216A-H are provided as open channels (i.e. grooves or recesses) in one face of the second plate 204 and are closed (i.e. covered) by one face of the first plate 202 that contacts the face of the second plate 204. This arrangement allows for easier manufacture of the bias filter 200, as the feed channels 216A-H and return flow channels 218A-H can be provided by removing material from one face of each of the plates 202, 204 (e.g. by etching or milling). Furthermore, as the return flow channels 218A-H are only spaced apart from the feed channels 216A-H by a small amount in a direction parallel to the cooling channels 218A-H (in this case, the Z direction), coolant fluid entering the cooling channels 210A-H from the feed channels 216A-H only needs to travel a short distance along the cooling channels 210A-H before it can be removed from the cooling channels 210A-H via the return flow channels 218A-H, which ensures rapid turnover of coolant fluid in the cooling channels 210A-H after impingement by the jets. In the present example, the spacing between the feed channels 216A-H and the return flow channels 218A-H in each of the cooling channels 210A-H can be from 0.50 mm to 2.00 mm.

[0047] In this example, the spacing between the openings of successive feed channels 216A-H in each of the cooling channels 210A-H can be from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, or more preferably from 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm. This spacing can allow for a high density of jets to be formed along the length of the cooling channels, while still providing sufficient space for the return flow channels to be provided between the feed channels.

[0048] As Figure 2D and Figure 2E shown, the plates 202, 204 can each include only feed channels 210A-H or return flow channels 216A-H. However, in other embodiments, each of the plates 202, 204 can include one or more feed channels 210A-H and one or more return flow channels 216A-H, which can help to reduce temperature differences between the different plates 202, 204.

[0049] In the present example, the cooling channels 210A-H have a diameter of 1 mm, while the inlet channels 212 and the outlet channels 214 have a diameter of 5 mm, although the dimensions of any of the channels can be changed as desired. The diameter of the feed channels 216A-H and the return channels 218A-H is preferably less than the diameter of the cooling channels 210A-H, in this case 0.20 mm, which helps to form the jets of coolant fluid. When the coolant fluid is a gas, the expansion of the gas from the feed channels 216A-H to the cooling channels 210A-H can provide an additional cooling effect. Although the various channels are generally circular in cross-section, any of them (or all) can alternatively have a cross-section that is rectangular or any other shape.

[0050] The number of first and second plates 202, 204 that can be used to form the dechucker 200 is essentially limited only by the thickness of each plate, the size of the target surface required, and the pressure drop that occurs during dispensing in the inlet channels 212 and the outlet channels 214. For example, if the thickness of each plate 202, 204 is 1.6 mm, a dechucker having a length of about 30 cm would require about 188 plates. Generally, the thickness of the plates can be from 1 mm to 5 mm to ensure that a high density of jets is formed in each cooling channel 210A-H.

[0051] The plates 202, 204 can be made of a refractory metal, such as tungsten, rhenium, tantalum, molybdenum, niobium, and zirconium (or an alloy containing one or more of these metals). In this case, the edges of the plates 202, 204 can provide the target surface that faces the plasma. Alternatively, the plates 202, 204 can be made of a material that is more thermally conductive, such as copper, or a copper-containing alloy containing copper, chromium, and zirconium (CuCrZr). In this case, the target surface that faces the plasma can be formed as a separate part or brick made of a refractory metal (e.g., tungsten) that is bonded to the plates 202, 204 over the cooling channels 210A-H. Optionally, an intermediate layer containing copper and tungsten (e.g.) can be provided between the plates 202, 204 and the part or brick that includes the target surface in order to provide a better match of the coefficients of expansion across the joint between the different materials.

[0052] The various channels in boards 202 and 204 can be formed in a variety of ways, such as etching or machining. The boards are joined together using direct bonding techniques, such as diffusion bonding, for example, hot isostatic pressing. Direct bonding as used here refers to joining the boards together without an intermediate layer (such as solder), i.e., the metal surfaces of the boards are directly bonded to each other. Other techniques, such as brazing or fusion welding (e.g., explosive welding), can also be used. Although feed channels 216A-H and return channels 218A-H are... Figures 2A to 2E The feed channels 216A-H and return channels 218A-H are shown extending only partially into each of plates 202, 204 (i.e., as recesses), but in other examples, the feed channels 216A-H and return channels 218A-H may extend all the way through (i.e., as through-holes) some or all of the plates 202, 204 (provided that the feed channels 216A-H and return channels 218A-H remain separate). This can be achieved, for example, by offsetting the feed and return channels 216A-H relative to each other in the Y direction. Offsetting the feed and return channels 216A-H in this way (whether they are recesses and / or through-holes) can also help prevent the return channels 218A-H from heating the feed channels 216A-H, which could otherwise reduce the ability of the coolant fluid to cool the target surface 206.

[0053] The divertor can also be manufactured as a single piece made of refractory metal or alloy, for example using additive manufacturing techniques. For example, the divertor can be manufactured by using a high-power laser to selectively melt tungsten powder to build up the required geometry layer by layer. Such a technique is described by Muller et al. in 2019 in “Additive manufacturing of pure tungsten by means of selective laser beam melting with substrate preheating temperatures up to 1000°C” (https: / / doi.org / 10.1016 / j.nme.2019.02.034). Manufacturing the divertor as a single piece of refractory metal, for example tungsten, is particularly advantageous because it avoids the need to form a joint between the plasma-facing part of the divertor and the rest of the divertor (i.e. the part of the divertor containing the various different channels) (and thus reduces problems associated with stresses induced in the joint). The relatively small size of the channels also means that the mechanical stresses generated by the internal pressure of the divertor remain low, which helps to reduce the likelihood of damage or degradation when using the divertor, which is particularly important for applications where maintenance or repair of the divertor can result in significant downtime and is dangerous for workers. It will be appreciated that plasma-facing components other than divertors, for example limiters, can also be manufactured as a single piece made of refractory metal or alloy in a similar manner.

[0054] The structure of the divertor (or other plasma-facing component, for example a limiter) can be expressed digitally in the form of a design file. A design file or computer-aided design (CAD) file is a configuration file that encodes one or more of the surface or volumetric configuration of a product shape. In this case, the design file expresses the geometric arrangement or shape of the divertor (or other plasma-facing component). Once the design file is obtained, it can be converted into a set of computer-executable instructions that, once executed by a processor, can cause the processor to control a manufacturing device (for example, an additive manufacturing device) to produce the divertor according to the geometric arrangement specified in the design file. Thus, by controlling the manufacturing device according to the computer-executable instructions, the manufacturing device can be instructed to “print out” the divertor (or other plasma-facing component).

[0055] Referring again to Figure 1In use, a supply of coolant fluid is connected to the inlet 212 of the divertor 200, and the outlet 214 is preferably connected to a separate cooling unit which cools the coolant fluid after it has been heated by the divertor 200, and returns the cooled coolant fluid to the inlet 212, i.e. a closed loop cooling circuit is formed. The coolant fluid can be a liquid or a gas, preferably an inert gas such as helium. In many cases a gas is preferred in order to avoid safety issues that can arise from liquid, e.g. water, leakage. In one example, helium is supplied to the inlet of the divertor at a pressure of 10 MPa and a temperature of from 100 to 600 degrees Celsius.

[0056] Although the present disclosure focuses on the cooling of divertors, the various different channel arrangements within the described cooling methods and components can also be applied to the cooling of other plasma-facing components within a tokamak device (or other types of plasma chamber), such as limiters or first wall tiles (or panels). It can also be applied to components that are not part of a plasma chamber or tokamak device, such as a rocket engine or a beam dump, e.g. for a high power laser or charged particle beam, where the beam-facing surface of the beam dump corresponds to the plasma-facing surface of the divertor. Thus, the divertors as described herein can also be used as an accelerator beam dump or a laser beam dump.

[0057] While the present disclosure as exemplified above focuses on the use of divertors in a tokamak device, it can also be used in other types of plasma chambers, such as stellarators.

[0058] While various different embodiments of the application have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.

Claims

1. A plasma-facing component for a plasma chamber, comprising: Target surface facing the plasma; An inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is for receiving coolant fluid and the outlet is for discharging coolant fluid; as well as Multiple internal cooling channels, each connected to the inlet via multiple feed channels and to the outlet via multiple return channels, the feed channels being configured to guide coolant fluid to the area of ​​the wall of the cooling channel, the corresponding openings of the feed channels and the return channels leading to the cooling channel being arranged in non-overlapping repeating units along the length of the cooling channel, each unit including at least one opening of a feed channel and at least one opening of a return channel.

2. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 1, wherein, The repeating unit consists of a pair of feed channel openings and a return channel opening.

3. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 2, wherein, The spacing between the openings of successive feed channels along the length of the cooling channel ranges from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm.

4. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 1, wherein, The spacing between the openings of adjacent feed channels and the openings of return channels along the length of the cooling channel ranges from 0.50 mm to 2.00 mm.

5. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the feed channel and / or the return channel includes a straight portion that joins the cooling channel at a right angle.

6. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 1, wherein, The coolant fluid is guided from another area opposite to the area of ​​the cooling channel to the area of ​​the wall of each cooling channel.

7. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 1, wherein, The coolant fluid of the wall of each of the cooling channels is guided to the area disposed on the side of the cooling channel adjacent to the target surface.

8. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 1, wherein, The width or diameter of each cooling channel is greater than the width or diameter of the corresponding feed channel and / or return channel.

9. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 1, wherein, The respective feed channel or the respective return channel for each of the cooling channels is coplanar with each other.

10. A plasma-oriented component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a plurality of stacked layers, each of the cooling channels extending continuously through the layers, each layer comprising a corresponding feed channel and / or a corresponding return channel for each of the cooling channels.

11. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 10, wherein, The target surface facing the plasma is provided by the edges of the stacked layers.

12. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 10, wherein, The target surface facing the plasma is configured as a layer extending across the edge of the stacked layers.

13. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 10, wherein, The feed channel and / or return channel of each layer is configured to extend into a groove in that layer, and another layer adjacent to the layer extends across the groove to seal the groove.

14. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 10, wherein, The feed channel and / or return channel of each layer is configured as a through-hole extending through the layer, and a corresponding other layer on either side of the layer extends across the through-hole to seal the through-hole.

15. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 10, wherein, The inlet and the outlet are configured as channels that extend through each of the layers.

16. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 10, wherein, The cooling channels, feed channels, and return channels of each layer are arranged in one of two mirror-image configurations.

17. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 10, wherein, Each layer is a plate made of one or more metals or alloys.

18. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 17, wherein, The opposite faces of the plates are joined together by direct bonding.

19. The plasma-oriented component according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is configured as a single piece made of metal or alloy.

20. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 17, wherein, The metal or alloy, or each metal or alloy, has a melting point above 1850 degrees Celsius.

21. The plasma-oriented component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the component is one of a divertor, a limiter, and a plasma-oriented first wall structure.

22. The plasma-oriented component according to claim 1, wherein, The feed channels and the return channels are arranged in an alternating pattern along the length of each cooling channel.

23. A method of manufacturing a plasma-facing component for a plasma chamber, the method comprising: Control the manufacturing equipment to manufacture the component according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

24. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control manufacturing equipment to manufacture a plasma-oriented component according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

25. A plasma chamber for a tokamak device, comprising plasma-facing components according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

26. A method for removing heat and / or waste during operation of a plasma chamber, said plasma chamber being a tokamak device plasma chamber according to claim 25, the method comprising: The plasma is confined magnetically within the plasma chamber of the tokamak device; Ions from the plasma are directed onto the target surface of the plasma-facing component; as well as The plasma-facing component is cooled by allowing coolant fluid to flow between the inlet and the outlet through the plasma-facing component.

27. A beam collector for absorbing energy from a beam of photons and / or charged particles, the beam collector comprising: A target surface facing the beam for receiving the beam; An inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is for receiving coolant fluid and the outlet is for discharging coolant fluid; as well as Multiple internal cooling channels, each connected to the inlet via multiple feed channels and to the outlet via multiple return channels, the feed channels being configured to guide coolant fluid to the area of ​​the wall of the cooling channel, the corresponding openings of the feed channels and the return channels leading to the cooling channel being arranged in non-overlapping repeating units along the length of the cooling channel, each unit including at least one opening of a feed channel and at least one opening of a return channel.

28. A rocket engine, comprising: An internal wall that defines a combustion chamber for burning propellant; A nozzle through which exhaust gases are discharged from the combustion chamber; An inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is for receiving coolant fluid and the outlet is for discharging coolant fluid; as well as Multiple internal cooling channels are provided for cooling the walls and / or nozzles defining the combustion chamber. Each cooling channel is connected to the inlet via multiple feed channels and to the outlet via multiple return channels. The feed channels are configured to guide coolant fluid to a region of the wall of the cooling channel. The corresponding openings of the feed channels and the return channels leading to the cooling channels are arranged in non-overlapping repeating units along the length of the cooling channels. Each unit includes an opening of at least one feed channel and an opening of at least one return channel.

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