Influence of blanket structural materials on liquid metal Pb–17Li flow in the FDS

The Dual-cooled Waste Transmutation Blanket design of the Fusion-Driven Sub-critical System is a dual-cooled liquid metal Pb–17Li and He system with Chinese Low Activation Martensitic steel structure. The effects of the structural material on liquid metal MHD flow, including pressure drop and heat transfer, are presented. The influences of the wall conductance of the duct wall on the MHD pressure drop have been analysed and estimated. The pressure drop is too large to be accepted when Pb–17Li coolant flows in these ducts without insulating coating. This can be improved by using Al2O3 electrically insulating coating, while heat transfer must also be cautiously considered.