A SELF-COOLED LIQUID-METAL BLANKET FOR A TOKAMAK REACTOR

A liquid metal-cooled inboard blanket for a tokamak reactor was designed to reduce the MHD pressure drop. No structure is directly connected to the first and second wall, so the currents induced in the first wall cooling channel return through distant sections of the blanket. The circuit resistance is very high because the current paths are long and produce a low pressure drop despite the fairly high coolant velocity. The total pressure drop through the blanket is estimated at less than 1 MPa and the heat transfer coefficient on the first wall is above 33 kW/m2K. The high cooling capability of the first wall is achieved without an excessive MHD pressure drop.