TIT: Realizing hydrogen production in fusion reactors:
-Synthesis of amazing liquid metal that functions at 900 ° C-
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Yokohama National University,
National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology
Higher performance of fusion reactor blanket.
We have developed a method for synthesizing liquid metals that function at 900 degrees Celsius.
Liquid metal that works at 900 degrees Celsius:
Lithium and lead are mixed at once at a low temperature of 350 degrees Celsius. Fabrication of high-purity lithium lead alloy.
Discovered a structural material that can withstand corrosiveness at 900 degrees Celsius.
It is expected that a fusion reactor capable of producing hydrogen will be realized.
Synthesize high-purity lithium lead alloy:
Lithium and lead
The density is about 20 times different,
It was difficult to mix evenly.
Research group:
I used a masher type stirrer.
Mix both under reduced pressure environment and
Succeeded in “heating and removing impurities”.
A high-purity lithium lead alloy with 84% lead and 16% lithium in atomic composition.
We succeeded in synthesizing 10 kilograms.
Bismuth concentration that absorbs neutrons to make radioactive substances,
The concentration of dissolved nitrogen that corrodes structural materials,
It was made “less than 1/10 of the conventional one”.
Characteristics of high-purity lithium lead alloy:
Using this alloy, it was heated to 900 ° C. and the corrosion resistance to various structural materials was examined.
Corrosion resistance test result:
“The commonly used corrosion resistant structural material 316L austenitic steel” was severely corroded.
on the other hand,
“Iron-chromium-aluminum oxide dispersion-strengthened alloy” hardly corrodes.
This alloy is
It self-forms a protective 5 micro-10 μm oxide film and maintains corrosion resistance.
Realization of a fusion reactor capable of producing hydrogen:
To put it simply, this invention
The energy generated in the fusion reactor can be extracted at a higher temperature.
It used to be 600 degrees, but now it’s 900 degrees.
“We have succeeded in synthesizing a liquid metal that can be a heat carrier.”
Heat source for hydrogen production plant:
At this temperature,
It can be used as it is as a heat source for a plant that produces hydrogen.
It can be used not only for power generation but also for high-efficiency hydrogen production.
Fusion reactor blanket:
“High energy transformation is required, and a method of flowing liquid metal into a blanket” is expected.
If it can be used at 900 degrees Celsius, it can be applied to hydrogen production heat sources in addition to fusion reactor fuel proliferation.
Most of the temperature range of the conventional liquid metal was 600 degrees Celsius or less.
Liquid metal corrosiveness:
The current problem is that liquid metals are highly corrosive and damage containers and pipes.
This development:
“This time, also found a material that is not corroded by liquid metal,” so it’s okay.
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