Lithium hydride first wall

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a first wall adapted to cover an inner wall (113) of a container (106), the first wall being made of a liquid metal mixture (111) comprising at least lithium and lithium hydride.

Description

[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from European patent application No. 22305451 filed on April 4, 2022, entitled “LITHIUM HYDRIDE FIRST WALL”, which is incorporated herein by reference to the maximum extent permitted by law. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a first wall component in a container such as a plasma sealed container, and in particular to a sealed container using liquid metal as a first wall. The first wall refers to a wall directly facing the interior of the container, and the first wall component refers to a component directly facing the interior of the container. Background Art

[0003] Currently, the world is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, a dependence that has serious implications for climate, warming, and biosphere degradation. The only alternative energy source known to humanity is nuclear energy, and the only energy source that can achieve adequate safety and fuel efficiency is fusion energy.

[0004] In order for fusion energy to become a suitable alternative energy source, fusion reactors need to be cheaper and smaller than currently envisioned devices (i.e., devices based on the ITER design and DEMO). A simpler, cheaper, and faster-to-build fusion energy device is needed.

[0005] The devices currently envisaged are derived from designs from the 1990s, and therefore these designs contemplate a minimum size with a major radius in the range of 6m to 9m. As a result, the manufacturing costs of actual reactors are enormous, estimated to exceed several billion dollars, and the construction time is estimated to be several decades using current construction methods. In addition to this, the cost of producing electricity at any power plant is affected by the cost of said power plant, which is approximately proportional to the size of the power plant, so larger machines, even when working according to the fusion principle, will still produce electricity at a higher cost than other smaller machines. For these reasons, there is a need for a fusion reactor of smaller size but with a higher fusion power density.

[0006] In addition, fusion reactors involve other sources of high costs during operation. One of these is the plasma-facing components (PFCs), which are components facing the plasma in the reaction chamber. PFCs are subjected to very high energies during operation and therefore require frequent replacement of materials. Another cost is the cost of fuel. Fusion power plants use tritium, a very expensive isotope of hydrogen. Each gram of tritium can cost up to $30,000.

[0007] Those working on model fusion power plants have had little success in overcoming these difficulties and also reducing the overall size of the reactor. For example, ITER sits on a 42-hectare platform and is more than 70 meters tall. The follow-up reactor, DEMO, is expected to be even larger, with its linear dimensions increasing by about 15%.

[0008] The prior art teaches solutions as detailed below: Some of these solutions are based on using liquid metal as the plasma facing component. To the best understanding of the inventors, these approaches have a number of drawbacks that make them unsuitable or insufficient to achieve the long term goals of reducing the overall size of fusion reactors and also increasing fusion power density while keeping costs low.

[0009] Abdou et al., "On the exploration of innovative concepts for fusion chamber technology," Fusion Engineering and Design, 54 (2001), pp. 181-247, reviewed the trend toward liquid metal as plasma-facing components. Specifically, Abdou noted that if these concepts could become a reality, there might be some advantages, including: high power density capabilities, smaller and lower-cost components, and improvements in plasma stability and confinement. Abdou describes liquid metal mixtures in liquid media, including Sn-Li mixtures, Pb-Li mixtures, and molten salt FLiBe. Abdou also describes how to use these liquid metal mixtures and make them into liquid walls, and describes methods for pushing liquid metal into the wall, including: gravity-momentum drive, which uses centrifugal force; electromagnetic confinement concepts, in which current is injected into the flow, so that a force field is generated that pushes the flow toward the wall; and other methods including pressure-driven forces. Abdou mentions on page 187 that it is unknown whether these advantages can be realized in a single concept, and then he writes that even if only a subset of these advantages were realized, a significant improvement in the attractiveness of fusion energy systems would be achieved. Therefore, a solution is needed that actually realizes the advantages into a single concept.

[0010] In U.S. Patent No. 4,344,911, Maniscalco et al. describe a fluidized wall for protecting the walls of a fusion chamber. The fluidized wall is described in two ways: one is a waterfall of liquid lithium metal and the other is a waterfall of solid particles of lithium ceramic. The waterfall is described as forming a blanket, which protects the structural material of the chamber. Since the wall is described as using lithium, it is a very poor neutron attenuator. Since the fluid falls in the form of a waterfall, additional complications of this structure include open spaces in the waterfall and liquid density issues, which result in uneven protection. The same is true for the lithium ceramic balls described.

[0011] Another material used for fusion reactor blankets is metallic beryllium, which has neutron multiplying properties. Balls made for this material have been described by Ishitsuka et al., for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,105. Such balls are not allowed to come into contact with liquid metal mixtures, as they may react, making the balls unsuitable for their neutron multiplying purpose.

[0012] Therefore, there remains a need for a solution to the fusion problem that addresses how to build smaller, less expensive, and more power dense fusion reactors or components thereof while still using readily available materials. Summary of the invention

[0013] One embodiment addresses all or some of the deficiencies of known plasma confinement walls or components.

[0014] One embodiment provides a first wall adapted to cover an inner wall of a container, the first wall being made of a liquid metal mixture including at least lithium and lithium hydride.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first wall further comprises pebbles suspended in the liquid metal mixture, each pebbles being a neutron attenuating pebble, a neutron multiplying pebble or a neutron attenuating and multiplying pebble, the size of the pebbles being, for example, between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0016] In one embodiment, at least one of the balls has a core that is externally surrounded by a shell.

[0017] In one embodiment, the core is a hollow core, eg filled with holes, and / or the outer shell is a hollow shell, eg filled with holes.

[0018] In one or more embodiments:

[0019] at least one of the spheres is a neutron attenuating sphere and the core of the neutron attenuating sphere consists essentially of a material suitable for attenuating neutrons, preferably a material with a high atomic number, such as lead; and / or

[0020] at least one of the spheres is a neutron multiplying sphere and the core of the neutron multiplying sphere consists essentially of a material suitable for multiplying neutrons, such as beryllium; and / or

[0021] The outer shell consists essentially of a material suitable for preventing corrosion and / or interaction between lithium and the core, such as silicon carbide or graphite.

[0022] In one embodiment, at least some of the spheres are located on the outer surface of the liquid metal mixture.

[0023] In one embodiment, the mixture comprises a molar content of lithium hydride between 15% and 25%, and the width of the first wall is, for example, between 60 cm and 90 cm.

[0024] In another embodiment, the mixture comprises a molar content of lithium hydride between 90% and 98%, and the width of the first wall is, for example, between 30 cm and 50 cm.

[0025] In one embodiment, the mixture further comprises lithium tritide and / or lithium deuteride.

[0026] In one embodiment, the mixture comprises a molar content of lithium hydride, lithium tritide and / or lithium deuteride between 15% and 25%, and the width of the first wall is, for example, between 60 cm and 90 cm.

[0027] In another embodiment, the mixture comprises a molar content of lithium hydride, lithium tritide and / or lithium deuteride between 90% and 98%, and the width of the first wall is, for example, between 30 cm and 50 cm.

[0028] One embodiment provides a container comprising an inner wall, wherein the inner wall is covered with a first wall according to an embodiment.

[0029] One embodiment provides a first wall device adapted to form a first wall according to an embodiment, wherein the device comprises:

[0030] - a container comprising an inner wall;

[0031] - flow means adapted to form a flow of the liquid metal mixture on the inner wall.

[0032] One embodiment provides a first wall device adapted to form a first wall according to an embodiment, wherein the device comprises:

[0033] - a container comprising an inner wall;

[0034] - A flow device adapted to form a flow of a liquid metal mixture comprising at least lithium and lithium hydride on an inner wall, wherein spheres are suspended in the liquid metal mixture, each sphere being a neutron attenuating sphere, a neutron multiplying sphere or a neutron attenuating and multiplying sphere.

[0035] In one embodiment, the flow device comprises means for adding balls into the liquid metal stream, such as a hatching or entry point in a first tube of the flow device.

[0036] In one embodiment, the flow device is adapted to circulate the liquid metal mixture at high temperature, for example between 600°C and 900°C.

[0037] In one embodiment, the flow device comprises:

[0038] - pumps;

[0039] - a first pipe located between the pump and the container, the first pipe being suitable for injecting the liquid metal mixture onto the inner wall, the first pipe being divided into at least two parts, for example in the container; and

[0040] - a second pipe located between the container and the pump, the second pipe being suitable for collecting the liquid metal mixture flowing through the inner wall, the second pipe being divided into at least two parts in the container, for example.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the flow device:

[0042] - suitable for circulating the liquid metal mixture at high temperature, for example at a temperature between 600° C. and 900° C.; and / or

[0043] - Includes means for adding the balls to the liquid metal mixture, such as an opening or entry point in the first tube of the flow device.

[0044] In one embodiment, the container or device further comprises an electrode located on an inner wall of the container, the electrode being adapted to apply an electric current to the liquid metal mixture of the first wall.

[0045] In one embodiment, the container or device further comprises means for generating a magnetic field within the container.

[0046] In one embodiment, the container has substantially the shape of a torus.

[0047] In one embodiment, the vessel forms at least a portion of a plasma containment vessel, a nuclear reactor vessel, or an isotope separation chamber.

[0048] One embodiment provides a method suitable for forming a first wall according to an embodiment, wherein the method comprises injecting a liquid metal mixture into an inner wall of a container, the liquid metal mixture comprising at least lithium and lithium hydride.

[0049] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0050] - during the injection step, applying an electric current to the liquid metal mixture, for example by using electrodes located on the inner wall of the container;

[0051] - during the injection step, applying a magnetic field in the container;

[0052] - before or during the injecting step, injecting into the liquid metal mixture spheres, each sphere being a neutron attenuating sphere, a neutron multiplying sphere or a neutron attenuating and multiplying sphere; and / or

[0053] - After the injection step, the liquid metal mixture is collected from the container and used for another injection step in the container and / or for another device suitable for extracting energy from said collected liquid metal mixture, such as a heat exchanger or a separator.

[0054] One embodiment provides a method suitable for forming a first wall according to an embodiment, the method comprising: injecting a liquid metal mixture into an inner wall of a container, the liquid metal mixture comprising at least lithium and lithium hydride; and forming a suspension of balls in the liquid metal mixture in the container, each ball being a neutron attenuation ball, a neutron multiplying ball, or a neutron attenuation and multiplying ball.

[0055] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0056] - during the injection step, applying an electric current to the liquid metal mixture, for example by using electrodes located on the inner wall of the container;

[0057] - during the injection step, applying a magnetic field in the container;

[0058] - before or during the injecting step, injecting the balls into the liquid metal mixture; and / or

[0059] - After the injection step, the liquid metal mixture is collected from the container and used for another injection step in the container and / or for another device suitable for extracting energy from said collected liquid metal mixture, such as a heat exchanger or a separator.

[0060] advantage

[0061] Advantages of embodiments of the lithium hydride first wall device can be listed as follows: allowing the first wall in the fusion reactor to be more compact, the first wall can be as small as a few centimeters, but is typically between 10 cm and 20 cm or larger; no separate lithium multiplication blanket is required, because the first wall also acts as a multiplication blanket, which may change the amount of attenuation or absorption of neutrons, thus achieving easy testing of different configurations and changing the tritium multiplication ratio during operation. Therefore, if the disclosed liquid first wall is used, it will be possible to build a smaller fusion reactor. Other advantages include extending the life of the solid components of the reactor (including structural materials and normal conducting or superconducting coils), improving safety and reducing maintenance and replacement costs in other high-radioactive environments. Other technical advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description, drawings and claims. In addition, although specific advantages have been listed above, different embodiments may include all of the listed advantages, exclude the listed advantages, or include some of the listed advantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] The foregoing features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages, will be described in detail in the following description of specific embodiments, which are given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0063] Figure 1 is a perspective overview view of an embodiment of a disclosed lithium hydride first wall.

[0064] Figure 2 is a cross-section of a sphere.

[0065] Reference numerals

[0066] 102: Pump

[0067] 104a: Outflow pipe (first pipe)

[0068] 104b: Inflow pipe (second pipe)

[0069] 106: Container

[0070] 108: Magnetic Field

[0071] 110: Ball

[0072] 111: Liquid metal flow (liquid metal mixture)

[0073] 112: One or more electrodes

[0074] 113: One or more inner walls

[0075] 114: Outer surface

[0076] 202: Shell

[0077] 204: core

[0078] 206: Hole DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] In the various drawings, the same features are represented by the same reference numerals. In particular, common structural and / or functional features in various embodiments may have the same reference numerals and may have the same structure, size, and material properties.

[0080] For clarity, only the operations and elements that are helpful for understanding the embodiments described herein are described and illustrated in detail.

[0081] Unless otherwise specified, when referring to two elements being connected together, this means a direct connection without any intermediate elements except conductors, and when referring to two elements being coupled together, this means the two elements may be connected or may be coupled via one or more other elements.

[0082] In the following disclosure, unless otherwise stated, when referring to absolute position modifiers such as terms "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc., or relative position modifiers such as terms "above", "below", "higher", "lower", etc., or orientation modifiers such as "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made to the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0083] Unless otherwise indicated, the expressions "about," "approximately," "substantially," and "approximately" mean within 10%, and preferably within 5%.

[0084] The following drawings are not drawn to scale. It should be noted that when it is expected that there will be no ambiguity in the text, the drawings refer to the disclosed lithium hydride first wall, sometimes also referred to as an embodiment of the device. Other embodiments are also possible, and some embodiments are also described in the drawings. The actual size and / or shape of each of the components of the embodiment can vary. Only the important details of the embodiment are shown, however, a person of ordinary skill in the art can understand how to construct the entire device without excessive experimentation. Some details are omitted in the drawings, but the inventor believes that it is unnecessary to add these details for the overall understanding of the features of the disclosed invention. For ease of understanding, some features of the embodiment are exaggerated. The disclosed embodiments and observed alternatives should not be considered to limit the present invention in any way.

[0085] exist Figure 11 shows a first embodiment of a lithium hydride first wall device. A pump 102 injects a liquid metal stream 111 (liquid metal mixture) into a container 106 by means of an outflow pipe 104a (first pipe). The outflow pipe 104a can be divided into two or more parts so that the liquid metal stream 111 can flow through the inner wall 113 of the container 106. The liquid metal stream 111 can be filled with a plurality of balls 110. The liquid metal stream 111 returns to the pump by means of an inflow pipe 104b. The inflow pipe 104b (second pipe) can have a plurality of inlets to collect the liquid metal stream 111 flowing through the inner wall 113 of the container 106.

[0086] A plurality of electrodes 112 may be disposed on an inner wall 113 of the container 106. A magnetic field 108 (B) may be applied inside the container 106. The electrodes may apply a current of density j, thereby generating a force of density jxB that forces the liquid metal stream to adhere to the solid wall.

[0087] According to one example, the container constitutes at least a portion of a plasma containment vessel. In other examples, the container may form at least a portion of a nuclear reactor vessel or an isotope separation chamber.

[0088] In a first embodiment, the pump 102 can be formed to allow the circulation of high-temperature liquid metal. In fusion reactor applications, the operating temperature can be between 600°C and 900°C. The inflow pipe 104a and the outflow pipe 104b are also suitable for working at these temperatures. The inflow pipe 104a receives the liquid metal flow 111 pumped out from the pump 102 and transports it from the top to the inner wall 113 of the container 106. The inner wall 113 of the container 106 is covered with the liquid metal flow 111. When the liquid metal 111 flows through the inner wall 113, the liquid metal flow 111 forms an outer surface 114 on the opposite side of the wall 113. In order to ensure that the inner wall 113 of the container is completely covered, it may be necessary to separate the inflow pipe 104a or accommodate a receiving portion to divert on the wall. The liquid metal flow 111 is collected at the bottom of the container 106 by the receiving portion of the outflow pipe 104b. Outflow pipe 104b brings the liquid metal stream 111 back to the pump, where it can then be recirculated.

[0089] In a first embodiment, the liquid metal stream 111 consists primarily of a mixture of lithium and lithium hydride, and may contain trace amounts of other elements.

[0090] In the embodiment, the mixture of lithium and lithium hydride can include at least 15% and at most 25% lithium hydride, or at least 90% and at most 98% lithium hydride, which composition can be in the form of molar content. In addition, the mixture can contain lithium deuteride and / or lithium tritide. The content of lithium hydride in the mixture allows the properties of the liquid metal stream 111 to be changed. Changing the molar content of lithium hydride in the mixture will change the attenuation and absorption characteristics of the liquid metal stream 111.

[0091] When the lithium hydride content of the mixture is between 15% and 25%, the width of the liquid metal stream 111 measured from the inner wall 113 of the container 106 can be between 60 cm and 90 cm to achieve optimal attenuation or absorption required for fusion reactor applications while also achieving tritium multiplication at an acceptable rate.

[0092] When the lithium hydride content of the mixture is between 90% and 98%, the width of the liquid metal stream 111 measured from the inner wall 113 of the container 106 can be between 30 cm and 50 cm to achieve the best attenuation or absorption required for fusion reactor applications while also achieving tritium breeding at an acceptable rate.

[0093] It should be apparent to anyone skilled in the art that adding lithium tritiated and / or deuterated lithium to the mixture would produce the same or similar results.

[0094] In a first embodiment, the shape of the container 106 may be similar to a ring or other similar shape. This shape will be suitable for the application of fusion reactors. In such an embodiment, the interior of the container 106 is under the action of the magnetic field 108. Figure 1 , the magnetic field 108 points outward from the page. Depending on the application, the magnetic field can be generated by a coil outside the container 106 or some other suitable method. The container 106 also includes a plurality of electrodes 112. Each of the electrodes 112 can be placed at a different location on the container 106, and they can be placed on the entire inner wall 113 of the container 106.

[0095] The first embodiment includes a plurality of balls 110. The balls 110 may be added to the liquid metal stream 111 before being loaded into the device, or the balls 110 may be added to the liquid metal stream 111 during operation, for example before injecting the liquid metal stream 111 into the container 106. In order to add the balls 110 during operation, sufficient openings or access points may be placed in the inflow pipe 104a.

[0096] Each ball 110 may have a different function, and two main types are identified in the first embodiment. The first type has a neutron attenuation function, and is referred to hereinafter as neutron attenuation. The second type is referred to as neutron multiplication, and has a function of multiplying the number of neutrons inside the liquid first wall. These two types and their functions may be combined in a single category of ball, containing both neutron attenuation material and neutron multiplication material, or containing a material that can both attenuate and multiply neutrons (e.g., lead).

[0097] As known to those skilled in the art, neutron decay refers to the decay of the energy of a neutron produced by a collision with another particle or nucleus, in which case an energy exchange is performed. For example, high-energy neutrons can be produced in a fusion reaction and can strike solid, liquid and / or gas materials around a fusion plasma and collide with one or more nuclei of atoms constituting the material. Typically, high-energy neutrons can release energy to a low-energy target, i.e., one or more nuclei in the surrounding material. Since the neutron loses energy in the process, the energy of the neutron is decayed. An attenuating material is a material having one or more nuclei suitable for producing a decay of the neutron energy when colliding with the neutron (e.g., a high-energy neutron) so that the neutron loses energy.

[0098] Examples of neutron attenuating materials that may be used in balls include:

[0099] - compounds of heavy elements, such as lead (Pb), tungsten (W), tungsten carbide (WC), boronized steel or vanadium alloys, such as V-4Cr-4Ti;

[0100] - high hydrogen content materials, such as metal hydrides, for example titanium hydride (TiH2), vanadium hydride (VH2), zirconium hydride (ZrH2) or heavy water; and

[0101] - other specialty materials including carbides such as boron carbide (B4C), carbon, titanium carbide (TiC), zirconium carbide (ZrC) or copper compounds; or

[0102] - A combination of any of the above materials.

[0103] As known to those skilled in the art, multiplication of neutrons refers to a reaction represented by (n, 2n), which means that a neutron can collide with a target nucleus and strip a neutron from the nucleus. One of the results of this reaction is the formation of two neutrons, i.e., the incident neutron and the neutron extracted from the nucleus. Thus, the neutrons are multiplied. A multiplication material is a material having one or more nuclei that, when colliding with the neutron, is suitable for multiplying the neutron.

[0104] Examples of neutron multiplying materials that may be used in the sphere include (excluding fissile materials):

[0105] - Beryllium (Be);

[0106] - Lead, especially Pb206, Pb207, Pb208;

[0107] -Lead sulfide;

[0108] - Tungsten (especially W182, W184, W186);

[0109] - molybdenum (especially Mo95, Mo97, Mo98, Mo100);

[0110] - Zirconium (especially Zr92, Zr94, Zr96);

[0111] - Bismuth (especially Bi209); or

[0112] - A combination of any of these materials.

[0113] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of ball 110 is shown. Figure 2 The cross-sectional views are common to both types described.

[0114] Each ball 110 includes a core 204 and is covered with a shell 202 on the outside. The ball 110 can be constructed in a manner similar to packed bed beads commonly used in nuclear fission applications. The shell 202 can be a coating of silicon carbide (SiC), graphite, or other materials suitable for preventing corrosion or interaction between lithium and the core 204. Depending on the function of the ball 110, the core 204 can be different materials. The core 204 of the neutron attenuation ball 110 can be made of lead or other materials with high atomic numbers suitable for attenuating high-energy neutrons, such as one or more of the above-mentioned neutron attenuation materials. The core 204 of the neutron multiplying ball 110 can be made of beryllium or other materials known to be suitable for use as neutron multipliers, such as one or more of the above-mentioned neutron multiplying materials. In a first embodiment, the size of the ball 110 can be between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0115] The core 204 may be filled with holes 206, thereby making it hollow, which makes the ball 110 lighter. Alternatively, or in addition to the presence of holes, the shell 202 may be an electrical insulator or a poor conductor, so that the ball is not or less subject to electromagnetic forces. Therefore, the ball is not or less pushed radially outward. Instead, the ball may float on the side of the container facing the liquid metal, where high-energy neutrons are most needed and where high-energy neutron attenuation and multiplication are most effective.

[0116] operate

[0117] To describe the operation of the disclosed liquid metal first wall, a fusion reactor application will be used. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that use in other applications may be beneficial, for example in the field of nuclear fission reactors or even in the field of element isotope separation.

[0118] In operation of the first embodiment as part of a fusion reactor, a pump 102 injects a stream of liquid metal 111 into the inner wall 113 of a container 106. As described above, the shape of the container 106 is similar to a ring, and is therefore hollow inside. There are balls 110 of neutron attenuation and neutron multiplication species suspended in the liquid metal 111. The liquid metal is a mixture of lithium and lithium hydride, and may contain lithium deuteride and / or lithium tritide. Injection is performed from the top of the container 106.

[0119] The liquid metal stream 111 may preferably be injected at a sufficiently high tangential velocity so that it can adhere to the inner wall 113 under the action of centrifugal force. Adhesion to the inner wall 113 is further maintained by applying an electric current using electrodes 112. The electric current circulates in the liquid metal stream 111 in a poloidal direction. The magnetic field 108 is also applied in a toroidal direction. The interaction of the electric current and the magnetic field 108 results in an electromagnetic force that pushes the liquid metal stream 111 further into the inner wall 113.

[0120] Due to the presence of the ball 110 suspended on the liquid metal stream 111, the action of centrifugal and electromagnetic forces creates a situation of artificial gravity, which causes the ball 110 to float to the outer surface 114 of the liquid metal stream 111. This is due to the lower density (obtained by porosity) and / or the shell 202 being an electrical insulator or a poor conductor, which makes the ball 110 at least partially unaffected by electromagnetic forces. The outer surface 114 of the liquid metal stream 111 is the outer surface facing the interior of the annular container 106. In a fusion reactor, the fusion reaction occurs inside the container 106. Neutrons and other particles are projected at high energy towards the outer surface 114 of the liquid metal stream 111. The neutrons interact with the ball 110, and according to their function, they cause neutron attenuation and / or neutron multiplication. In addition, the neutrons interact with the lithium and lithium hydride mixture in the liquid metal stream 111, thereby causing further absorption and tritium multiplication.

[0121] After the process, the liquid metal stream 111 is at a high temperature. The liquid metal stream 111 is collected at the bottom of the container 106. Then, the outflow pipe 104b receives the collected liquid metal stream and uses it for other devices. For example, other embodiments may include a heat exchanger, a separator, or a combination thereof so that energy can be extracted from the liquid metal stream 111. Afterwards, the liquid metal stream is again delivered to the pump 102, and the process can continue.

[0122] The tritium breeding characteristics of the disclosed lithium hydride first wall depend on the composition and quantity of the balls 110 and the composition of the lithium hydride mixture in the liquid metal stream 111. Therefore, by changing the composition of the balls 110 or the lithium hydride mixture, the size of the liquid metal stream 111 can be changed, and the size of the container 106 using the lithium hydride first wall can be made smaller than that currently designed and constructed.

[0123] Additional Implementations

[0124] In additional embodiments, the lithium hydride content in the liquid metal stream 111 is as high as 90% or even higher. In such embodiments, the width of the liquid metal stream 111, as measured from the inner wall 113, may be as low as a few millimeters in order to achieve an acceptable tritium multiplication rate.

[0125] In another additional embodiment, the outflow pipe 104b receives the liquid metal flow 111 and transports it to another device. For example, the other device can be a heat exchanger that removes heat from the liquid metal 111 and exchanges it with a different fluid, which can be part of a power plant.

[0126] In another additional embodiment, the hole 206 inside the ball 110 is not located in the core 204, but is located on the shell 202. In yet another embodiment, the hole 206 is not only located on the core 204, but also located in the shell 202.

[0127] Example embodiments of the present invention are summarized below. Other embodiments may also be appreciated from the entire specification and claims filed herein.

[0128] Example 1. A first wall adapted to cover an inner wall (113) of a container (106), the first wall being made of a liquid metal mixture (111) comprising at least lithium and lithium hydride.

[0129] Example 2. The first wall according to Example 1 further comprises balls (110) suspended in the liquid metal mixture (111), each ball being a neutron attenuation ball, a neutron multiplication ball, or a neutron attenuation and multiplication ball.

[0130] Example 3. The first wall according to Example 2, wherein at least one of the balls (110) has a core (204), and the core (204) is externally covered by a shell (202).

[0131] Example 4. The first wall according to Example 3, wherein the core (204) is a hollow core, for example filled with holes (206), and / or the shell (202) is a hollow shell, for example filled with holes.

[0132] Example 5. A first wall according to Example 3 or 4, wherein at least one of the balls (110) is a neutron attenuation ball, and the core (204) of the neutron attenuation ball mainly comprises a material suitable for attenuating neutrons, preferably a material with a high atomic number, such as lead; and / or at least one of the balls (110) is a neutron multiplying ball, and the core (204) of the neutron multiplying ball mainly comprises a material suitable for multiplying neutrons, such as beryllium.

[0133] Example 6. The first wall according to any one of Examples 3 to 5, wherein the shell (202) mainly includes a material suitable for preventing corrosion and / or interaction between lithium and the core (204), such as silicon carbide or graphite.

[0134] Example 7. The first wall of any one of Examples 2 to 6, wherein the size of the balls (110) is between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0135] Example 8. The first wall according to any one of Examples 2 to 7, wherein at least one of the balls (110) is located on an outer surface (114) of the liquid metal mixture (111).

[0136] Example 9. The first wall of any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the mixture further comprises lithium tritide and / or lithium deuteride.

[0137] Example 10. A first wall according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the mixture comprises lithium hydride, lithium tritide and / or lithium deuteride at a molar content between 15% and 25%, and the width of the first wall is, for example, between 60 cm and 90 cm; or the mixture comprises lithium hydride, lithium tritide and / or lithium deuteride at a molar content between 90% and 98%, and the width of the first wall is, for example, between 30 cm and 50 cm.

[0138] Example 11. A container (106) comprising an inner wall (113), wherein the inner wall is covered with a first wall according to any one of Examples 1 to 10.

[0139] Example 12. A first wall device, adapted to form a first wall according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the device comprises:

[0140] - a container (106), said container (106) comprising an inner wall (113);

[0141] - flow means (102, 104a, 104b) adapted to form a flow of the liquid metal mixture (111) on the inner wall (113).

[0142] Example 13. The device of Example 12, wherein the flow device comprises:

[0143] - a pump (102);

[0144] - a first pipe (104a) between the pump and the container (106), the first pipe being suitable for injecting the liquid metal mixture (111) onto the inner wall (113), the first pipe being divided into at least two parts in the container, for example.

[0145] Example 14. The device of Example 13, wherein the flow device further comprises:

[0146] - a second pipe (104b) located between the container (106) and the pump (102), the second pipe being suitable for collecting the liquid metal mixture (111) flowing through the inner wall (113), the second pipe being divided into at least two parts in the container, for example.

[0147] Example 15. The device according to any one of Examples 12 to 14, wherein the flow device is suitable for circulating the liquid metal mixture (111) at a high temperature, for example, at a temperature between 600°C and 900°C.

[0148] Example 16. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 12 to 15, wherein the flow device includes means for adding balls (110) to the liquid metal mixture (111), such as an opening or entry point in the first tube (104a) of the flow device.

[0149] Example 17. The device according to any one of Examples 12 to 16 or the container according to Example 11 further includes an electrode (112) located on the inner wall (113) of the container (106), wherein the electrode is suitable for applying an electric current to the liquid metal mixture (111) of the first wall.

[0150] Example 18. The device according to any one of Examples 12 to 17 or the container according to Examples 11 or 17, further comprising means for generating a magnetic field (108) within the container.

[0151] Example 19. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 12 to 18 or a container according to any one of Examples 11, 17, 18, wherein the container (106) substantially has a torus shape.

[0152] Example 20. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 12 to 19 or a container according to any one of Examples 11, 17 to 19, wherein the container (106) forms at least a portion of a plasma confinement vessel, a nuclear reactor vessel, or an isotope separation chamber.

[0153] Example 21. A method suitable for forming a first wall according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the method includes injecting a liquid metal mixture (111) into an inner wall (113) of a container (106), wherein the liquid metal mixture (111) includes at least lithium and lithium hydride.

[0154] Example 22. The method according to Example 21, wherein the liquid metal mixture (111) is injected at a sufficiently high tangential velocity so that it adheres to the inner wall (113) by the action of centrifugal force.

[0155] Example 23. The method according to Example 21 or 22 also includes: during the injection step, applying an electric current to the liquid metal mixture (111), for example by using an electrode (112) located on the inner wall (113) of the container (106).

[0156] Example 24. The method according to any one of Examples 21 to 23 further includes: applying a magnetic field in the container (106) during the injecting step.

[0157] Example 25. The method according to any one of Examples 21 to 24 further includes: before or during the injecting step, injecting balls (110) into the liquid metal mixture (111), each ball being a neutron attenuation ball, a neutron multiplying ball, or a neutron attenuation and multiplying ball.

[0158] Example 26. The method according to any one of Examples 21 to 25 further includes: after the injection step, collecting the liquid metal mixture (111) from the container (106), and using the collected liquid metal mixture for another injection step in the container (106) and / or for another device suitable for extracting energy from the collected liquid metal mixture, such as a heat exchanger, a separator.

[0159] Various embodiments and variations have been described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain features of these embodiments may be combined, and those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other variations.

[0160] Finally, actual implementation of the embodiments and variations described herein is within the capabilities of those skilled in the art based on the functional description provided above.

[0161] List of abbreviations:

[0162] ITER: International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor

[0163] DEMO: Nuclear fusion demonstration power plant

[0164] PFC: Plasma-facing components

[0165] Sn: Tin

[0166] SiC: Silicon Carbide

[0167] Li: Lithium

[0168] Pb: Lead

[0169] FliBe: A mixture of lithium fluoride and beryllium fluoride

Claims

1. A first wall adapted to cover an inner wall (113) of a container (106), the first wall being made of a liquid metal mixture (111) comprising at least lithium and lithium hydride, the first wall further comprising balls (110) suspended in the liquid metal mixture (111), each ball being a neutron attenuation ball, a neutron multiplication ball, or a neutron attenuation and multiplication ball.

2. The first wall according to claim 1, wherein: The size of the ball (110) is between 1 mm and 5 mm.

3. The first wall according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: At least one of the balls (110) has a core (204), and the core (204) is covered by a shell (202).

4. The first wall according to claim 3, wherein: The core (204) is a hollow core, for example filled with holes (206), and / or the outer shell (202) is a hollow shell, for example filled with holes.

5. The first wall according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: - at least one of the spheres (110) is a neutron attenuating sphere, and the core (204) of the neutron attenuating sphere consists essentially of a material suitable for attenuating neutrons, preferably a material with a high atomic number, such as lead; and / or - at least one of the spheres (110) is a neutron multiplying sphere, and the core (204) of the neutron multiplying sphere consists essentially of a material suitable for multiplying neutrons, such as beryllium; and / or - the outer shell (202) consists essentially of a material suitable for preventing corrosion and / or interaction between lithium and the core (204), such as silicon carbide or graphite.

6. The first wall according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: At least some of the balls (110) are located on an outer surface (114) of the liquid metal mixture (111).

7. The first wall according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: - the mixture comprises a molar content of lithium hydride between 15% and 25%, and the width of the first wall is, for example, between 60 cm and 90 cm; or The mixture comprises a molar content of lithium hydride of between 90% and 98%, and the width of the first wall is, for example, between 30 cm and 50 cm.

8. The first wall according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The mixture also includes lithium tritide and / or lithium deuteride.

9. A container (106) comprising an inner wall (113), wherein: The inner wall is covered with a first wall according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A first wall device suitable for forming a first wall according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The device comprises: - a container (106), said container (106) comprising an inner wall (113); - a flow device (102, 104a, 104b), the flow device (102, 104a, 104b) being suitable for forming a flow of a liquid metal mixture (111) comprising at least lithium and lithium hydride on the inner wall (113), in which balls (110) are suspended, each ball being a neutron attenuating ball, a neutron multiplying ball or a neutron attenuating and multiplying ball.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that The flow device (102, 104a, 104b) comprises means for adding the balls (110) to the liquid metal stream, such as an opening or entry point in a first tube (104a) of the flow device.

12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The mobile device comprises: - a pump (102); a first tube (104a) located between the pump and the container (106), the first tube being suitable for injecting the liquid metal mixture (111) onto the inner wall (113), the first tube being divided into at least two parts, for example, in the container; and - a second pipe (104b) located between the container (106) and the pump (102), the second pipe being suitable for collecting the liquid metal mixture (111) flowing through the inner wall (113), the second pipe being divided into at least two parts in the container, for example.

13. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: The flow device is suitable for circulating the liquid metal mixture (111) at a high temperature, for example, between 600°C and 900°C.

14. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 13 or the container according to claim 9, further comprising an electrode (112) located on the inner wall (113) of the container (106), the electrode being suitable for applying an electric current to the liquid metal mixture (111) of the first wall.

15. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 14 or the container according to claim 9 or 14, further comprising means for generating a magnetic field (108) within the container.

16. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 15 or the container according to any one of claims 9, 14, 15, wherein: The container (106) substantially has a torus shape.

17. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 16 or the container according to any one of claims 9, 14 to 16, wherein: The vessel (106) forms at least a portion of a plasma confinement vessel, a nuclear reactor vessel, or an isotope separation chamber.

18. A method suitable for forming a first wall according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The method comprises: injecting a liquid metal mixture (111) into an inner wall (113) of a container (106), wherein the liquid metal mixture (111) includes at least lithium and lithium hydride; and A suspension of spheres (110) in the liquid metal mixture is formed in the container, each sphere being a neutron attenuating sphere, a neutron multiplying sphere, or a neutron attenuating and multiplying sphere.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The method further comprises: - during the injection step, applying an electric current to the liquid metal mixture (111), for example by using electrodes (112) located on the inner wall (113) of the container (106); - during said injecting step, applying a magnetic field in said container (106); - injecting the balls (110) into the liquid metal mixture (111) before or during the injecting step; and / or - After the injection step, the liquid metal mixture (111) is collected from the container (106) and the collected liquid metal mixture is used for another injection step in the container (106) and / or for another device suitable for extracting energy from the collected liquid metal mixture, such as a heat exchanger or a separator.

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