Liquid Metal Divertor Layout for Double-Null Tokamak Heat Exhaust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing divertor designs in tokamak plasma chambers face challenges in effectively managing waste particles and power deposition, particularly in double null configurations, due to the difficulty in implementing flowing liquid metal divertors on non-gravitational surfaces and the complexity of non-symmetric magnetic fields.
Innovation Solution
A tokamak plasma vessel design with symmetric or non-symmetric magnetic fields is employed to direct ions in the scrape-off layer to upper and lower divertor assemblies, utilizing liquid metal inlets and outlets, and incorporating structural supports and passive stabilization plates to manage liquid metal flow on both symmetric and asymmetric divertor surfaces, including electromagnetic force counteraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid metal divertors are implemented on non-gravitational surfaces in double null configurations, then waste particle and power removal efficiency is improved, but the complexity of implementing flowing liquid metal on non-gravitational surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electromagnetic forces to counteract gravity and enable liquid metal to flow on non-gravitational (inverted) divertor surfaces. Electromagnetic actuators generate forces that balance the gravitational pull on the liquid metal, allowing it to flow upward or sideways on divertor surfaces that would otherwise be impossible to maintain with gravity alone. This resolves the contradiction by providing the necessary counter-force to enable liquid metal flow on complex geometries while maintaining the productivity benefits of liquid metal divertors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical gravity-dependent liquid metal flow with an electromechanical system. Instead of relying solely on gravity to drive liquid metal flow, electromagnetic fields are used to control and sustain the flow on non-gravitational surfaces. This substitution enables liquid metal divertors to function on inverted and complex geometries, resolving the implementation complexity while maintaining waste removal efficiency.
2Reliability
If non-symmetric magnetic fields are used to direct ions to divertor surfaces, then plasma confinement and particle direction are improved, but the complexity of magnetic field coil design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-symmetric magnetic field configurations to achieve proper plasma confinement and particle direction in double null divertor geometries. The magnetic field coils are designed with asymmetric arrangements that create the necessary field patterns to direct ions to the appropriate divertor surfaces while maintaining plasma stability. This asymmetry is essential for the double null configuration but increases coil design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements adjustable and controllable magnetic field configurations that can be dynamically optimized for different operating conditions. The coil system allows for dynamic adjustment of field strength and geometry to maintain optimal plasma confinement while managing the inherent complexity of non-symmetric field designs.
3Temperature
If liquid metal is used on inverted divertor surfaces, then heat flux distribution is improved, but the difficulty of maintaining liquid metal flow against gravity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electromagnetic forces to counteract gravitational effects on liquid metal flowing on inverted divertor surfaces. By applying electromagnetic actuators that generate forces opposing gravity, the system enables liquid metal to flow upward or sideways on inverted surfaces, achieving improved heat flux distribution while overcoming the operational difficulty of maintaining flow against gravity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces gravity-dependent liquid metal flow with electromagnetic field-controlled flow. This substitution allows liquid metal to be maintained and directed on inverted surfaces where gravity would normally cause it to drain away, thereby achieving improved heat flux distribution while simplifying the operational aspects of maintaining flow on inverted geometries.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enables efficient waste particle and power removal, rapid recovery from transient events, and reduced complexity in coil design, while maintaining plasma confinement and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of poloidal field coils are configured to provide a poloidal magnetic field having a substantially symmetric plasma core and an upper and lower null
Implementation Method 2
Each of the upper and lower divertor assembly is configured such that in use liquid metal flows from the liquid metal inlet to the liquid metal outlet over at least one divertor surface of the divertor assembly
Implementation Method 3
incorporating structural supports and passive stabilization plates to manage liquid metal flow on both symmetric and asymmetric divertor surfaces, including electromagnetic force counteraction
Data Source
AI summary
A tokamak plasma vessel. The tokamak plasma vessel comprises a toroidal plasma chamber, a plurality of poloidal field coils, an upper divertor assembly, and a lower divertor assembly. The plurality of poloidal field coils are configured to provide a poloidal magnetic field having a substantially symmetric plasma core and an upper and lower null, such that ions in a scrape off layer outside the plasma core are directed by the magnetic field past one of the upper and lower nulls to divertor surfaces of the respective upper and lower divertor assembly. Each of the upper and lower divertor assembly comprises a liquid metal inlet and a liquid metal outlet located below the liquid metal inlet. Each of the upper and lower divertor assembly is configured such that in use liquid metal flows from the liquid metal inlet to the liquid metal outlet over at least one divertor surface of the divertor assembly.