Tungsten Alloy Divertor Concept with Helium Jet Cooling

Helium-cooled, refractory-metal heat sinks are being considered for the divertor sections of several fusion energy reactors. Research results have shown considerable promise for the use of jet-impingement-type helium-cooling techniques in high-heat-flux applications. However, because of the small size of the units (1.5-2 cm), a large number of these heat sinks would be needed for the divertor section of a reactor. Recently, a mid-size helium-jet-cooled configuration, comprised of tungsten tubes¿ and having good heat-flux-accommodation potential, has been designed. In this project, advanced net shape refractory metal forming techniques will be developed to enable the fabrication of this improved helium-cooled, tungsten-alloy divertor concept. During Phase I, helium-jet cooled, tungsten-alloy heat sinks will be produced. The helium inlet and outlet manifolds will be incorporated into one or both ends of the heat sink. In addition, techniques for attaching armor to the heat sinks will be developed to guard against disruption events expected from more demanding, near-term tokamaks. In Phase II, the helium-jet-cooled, tungsten-alloy heat sinks will be optimized, and prototypes will be produced. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Fusion energy offers the potential to reduce the nation¿s dependency on fossil fuels. The helium-jet-cooled method, in combination with an all-refractory-metal heat sink, would allow these reactors to be operated at higher temperatures and with larger temperature differences, resulting in increased power conversion efficiency