MaPLE: A versatile facility for investigating MHD convective flows

IF 1.9 3区工程技术 Q1 NUCLEAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Fusion Engineering and Design Pub Date : 2025-04-09 DOI:10.1016/j.fusengdes.2025.115031

C. Koehly, C. Courtessole, L. Bühler

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

With MaPLE (Magnetohydrodynamic PbLi Experiment), KIT provides an experimental research facility to investigate magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects affecting liquid metal blankets of future fusion reactors using the prototypical liquid metal PbLi. The facility is designed to enable heat transfer studies in free, forced, or mixed magneto-convective flows in simple ducts and more complex typical geometries relevant to liquid metal breeder blankets. It features a versatile infrastructure that allows experimental examination of flows at any orientation with respect to gravity under a transverse magnetic field, as those occurring in a fusion blanket. While MaPLE has been primarily designed to explore the combined MHD and buoyancy effects, the facility can also support the development of measuring techniques at high temperatures and strong magnetic fields. In synergy with the well-established MEKKA facility, which offers an even larger experimental magnetic volume, MaPLE is also suited for analyzing PbLi flows in complex geometries such as scaled mock-ups of fusion blankets. Identified as one of EUROfusion Technological Hubs, MaPLE will support the development of breeding blankets the European demonstration fusion power plant DEMO, and the international ITER project. The main features and characteristics of the facility are described in this paper, and the roadmap for the first experimental campaigns is presented.

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MaPLE：用于研究MHD对流流动的多功能设备

通过 MaPLE（PbLi 磁流体力学实验），KIT 提供了一个实验研究设施，利用原型液态金属 PbLi 来研究影响未来聚变反应堆液态金属毯的磁流体力学（MHD）效应。该设施旨在对简单管道中的自由、强制或混合磁对流以及与液态金属增殖毯相关的更复杂的典型几何形状进行传热研究。它具有多功能基础设施，可以在横向磁场下对相对于重力的任何方向的流动进行实验检查，就像在核聚变毯中发生的流动一样。虽然 MaPLE 主要用于探索 MHD 和浮力的综合效应，但该设施也能支持高温和强磁场测量技术的开发。MaPLE与成熟的MEKKA设施协同工作，提供了更大的实验磁场容积，因此也适合分析复杂几何形状的PbLi流，如按比例模拟的核聚变毯。作为欧洲聚变技术中心（EUROfusion Technological Hubs）之一，MaPLE 将为欧洲示范聚变电站 DEMO 和国际热核聚变实验堆项目的聚变毯开发提供支持。本文介绍了该设施的主要特征和特点，并提出了首批实验活动的路线图。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Fusion Engineering and Design 工程技术-核科学技术

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

23.50%

发文量

275

审稿时长

3.8 months

期刊介绍： The journal accepts papers about experiments (both plasma and technology), theory, models, methods, and designs in areas relating to technology, engineering, and applied science aspects of magnetic and inertial fusion energy. Specific areas of interest include: MFE and IFE design studies for experiments and reactors; fusion nuclear technologies and materials, including blankets and shields; analysis of reactor plasmas; plasma heating, fuelling, and vacuum systems; drivers, targets, and special technologies for IFE, controls and diagnostics; fuel cycle analysis and tritium reprocessing and handling; operations and remote maintenance of reactors; safety, decommissioning, and waste management; economic and environmental analysis of components and systems.