Plasma-Facing Cooling Channel Layout for High Heat Flux Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma-facing components in plasma chambers, such as divertors and limiters, face challenges in efficiently managing high heat flux and waste material removal due to inefficient heat transfer and particle diffusion, leading to potential contamination and erosion.
Innovation Solution
A plasma-facing component design featuring internal cooling channels with alternating feed and return channels, arranged in non-overlapping repeating units, enhances heat transfer efficiency through jet impingement and bulk fluid flow, utilizing materials with high melting points and additive manufacturing for robust construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling channels are used in plasma-facing components, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but heat transfer efficiency is insufficient to manage high heat flux
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel is segmented into multiple sections with alternating feed and return channels arranged in non-overlapping repeating units. Each unit contains openings that direct coolant jets at specific regions of the channel wall, creating localized high-velocity jet impingement zones that significantly enhance heat transfer efficiency while managing the complexity through modular repetition
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cooling channel wall receive different cooling intensities through the alternating feed and return channel openings. The feed channels direct high-velocity coolant jets at specific wall regions to maximize heat removal where needed, while return channels allow bulk fluid flow to carry away heated coolant. This localized quality variation optimizes heat transfer at critical areas without requiring complete redesign of the entire channel structure
2Temperature
If cooling channels are designed to maximize heat removal, then temperature control improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel structure employs periodic alternating feed and return channel openings arranged in non-overlapping repeating units along the channel length. This periodic arrangement creates a rhythmic pattern of jet impingement and bulk flow zones that maximizes heat removal through repeated cycles of coolant injection and evacuation, while the repeating unit structure simplifies manufacturing by allowing modular fabrication and assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The feed channels are positioned to direct coolant jets at the wall before the coolant would naturally slow down and lose cooling effectiveness. By preliminarily establishing high-velocity jet impingement at the wall surface, the system maximizes heat transfer from the plasma-facing component before the coolant requires removal through return channels, optimizing temperature control while maintaining manufacturable channel geometry
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 effectively manages high heat flux and waste material, reducing contamination risks and enhancing the durability and efficiency of plasma-facing components in tokamaks and other plasma chambers.
Implementation Method 1
The feed channels are each configured to direct coolant fluid against a region of a wall of the cooling channel
Implementation Method 2
enhances heat transfer efficiency through jet impingement and bulk fluid flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2D~2E
AI summary
A plasma-facing component for a plasma chamber, comprising: a plasma-facing target surface; an inlet through which to receive a coolant fluid and an outlet through which to expel 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 being configured to direct coolant fluid against a region of a wall of the cooling channel. Respective openings of the feed and return channels into the cooling channel are arranged in non-overlapping repeating units along a length of the cooling channel. Each unit comprises openings of at least one feed channel and at least one return channel.