Study of the effects of liquid lithium curtain as first wall on plasma

A global model analysis of the effects of a liquid lithium curtain, which is utilized as the first wall for the Engineering outline design of the Fusion Experimental Breeder (FEB-E), on plasma has been performed. The relationships between the surface temperature of a liquid lithium curtain and the mean effective plasma charge, fuel dilution and the produced fusion power have been obtained. Studies indicate that under normal operation circumstances, the evaporation of liquid lithium does not affect the mean effective plasma charge seriously, but the effects on the fuel dilution and fusion power are more sensitive. We have investigated the relationships between the flow velocity of the liquid lithium curtain and the rise of surface temperature based on the operation scenario II of FEB-E design with reversed shear configuration and higher power density. Results show that even if the flow velocity of the liquid lithium curtain is as low as 0.5 m/s, the effects of evaporation from the curtain on plasma are negligible.