A Model to Simulate Gas Dissolution into/through Metals and Its Application to Deuterium in a 316L Steel Chamber with Pb-Li in a Quasi-2D Geometry

Liquid lead-lithium in eutectic proportions (Pb-Li) is a candidate material for Breeding Blankets (BBs) in future Fusion Power Plants (FPP). BB design depends on the diffusivity and Sieverts' constant (solubility) of tritium in this alloy, but literature reports a large scattering of measurements for these values. A model was developed to address one possible source of this scattering in static experiments, i.e., non-negligible loss of hydrogen gas through steel walls of containers. This model simulates the dissolution of gases into, and their diffusion through, metallic barriers for diffusivity and Sieverts' constant as inputs. When implemented, it can be used to compute the pressure decrease in a metallic chamber, and comparison of simulated curves with experimental ones allows for estimates of the diffusivity and Sieverts' constant. This approach was used to estimate these coefficients for deuterium in stainless steel, using experiments performed with a 316L steel chamber from an existing facility (the Vacuum Sieve Tray setup) and simulations in a quasi-2D representation of this chamber. This validated the model, which was then used to simulate the chamber containing Pb-Li, as a means of planning for future experiments.

Automated summary

Liquid lead-lithium is a potential material for breeding blankets in future fusion power plants. However, there is a large scattering of measurements for the diffusivity and solubility of tritium in this alloy. To address this issue, researchers developed a model to simulate the dissolution and diffusion of gases in metallic barriers. This model can be used to estimate these coefficients and plan for future experiments.