Ponente
Descripción
IFMIF-DONES is a research facility designed to irradiate and qualify materials for future fusion reactors. At the core of the facility are the Lithium Systems, which generate an intense neutron flux (1-5$\cdot$10$^{14}$ n/cm$^2$s, with a broad peak at 14 MeV) through the interaction of a 40 MeV, 125 mA deuteron beam with a flowing liquid lithium target. The Lithium Systems consist of four key systems: the Target System, which generate a high-speed liquid lithium jet; the Heat Removal Loops, in charge of efficiently removing the heat deposition in the liquid lithium (5 MW); the Impurity Control System that minimizes corrosion and erosion phenomena and traps the impurities; and the Lithium System Ancillaries.
The Target System operates under extremely harsh conditions, including high radiation, high temperatures, and liquid lithium exposure. Among other challenges, these are: maintaining the stability and high velocity of the lithium jet, minimizing surface perturbations, and ensuring the lifetime of critical components like the backplate, which is subjected to severe irradiation damage ($\sim$25 dpa per full power year); operating in a high-radiation environment, requiring the development of specialized maintenance strategies in conjunction with remote handling technologies; and the selection and development of proper diagnostics. With a target's lifetime currently estimated at around 9 months, regular replacement strategies are required, supported by advanced remote handling technologies. The use of EUROFER-97 steel in the target helps reduce material activation (and radioactive waste) and improve its thermo-mechanical performance. Some preliminary studies propose using the target's material for Post-Irradiation Experiments (PIE), offering insights into material behavior under such conditions. This work summarizes the design and operational strategies of the Lithium Systems, highlighting the solutions implemented to meet these challenges.
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