Scoping the Potential of Mobile Tiles for and IFE Power Plant

Lance Snead, Hsin Wang, Jim Kiggans Oak Ridge National Laboratory Igor Sviatoslavsky, Mohamed Sawan,Carol Alpine, Greg Sviatoslavsky University of Wisconsin
Presented at the HAPL Meeting PPPL, Princeton, NJ

December 12-13, 2006

1

Basic Idea
Fundamental problem with graphite is solved by limiting residence time of graphite tile in chamber and post-processing tile in vacuum furnace. -- Post processing restores graphite properties -- Post processing removes tritium -- Erosion mitigated by limiting time in chamber ----> lets consider recycling the tiles. Material and Design: Intermediate quality graphite tile similar to matrix nuclear graphite (good thermal conductivity, very high fracture toughness.) Tile rides on rail from top of reactor to bottom, through furnace, inspect, back to the top of the reactor.

The original twisted biscuit

LAF Rail Na Coolant

Side View: View Face Changes With Twist of Oval Rail

Chamber Support Composed Of Twisting Metallic Oval Rail

Top View With Oval Rail 3 Graphite + Breeder + Multiplier

100
Snead data, recently unpublished

Thermal Conductivity (W/m-K)

80

H451 : T = 430C
irr

60

H451 : T = 710C
irr

40

20

0.2 dpa 0 0.1 1 10 100

2 dpa

1000

Time in HFIR Core (hours)

H451 Graphite

900C
2 dpa

600C

Tritium Outgas & Property Recovery (1200-1300C, hours)

3T

remove

replace

Recycle & Re-fabricate (1100-1200C)

Fresh C + Be + Li2O

bad Inspection & Storage good Tritium Outgas & Property Recovery (1100-1200C, hours)
3T

remove

Geometric Description
The chamber is 10 m in radius. Tiles are 15 cm X 15 cm X 6 cm Tiles are supported on oval cooling channels. As the tiles move down on the cooling channels, they twist such that at mid-plane they face the target 15 cm X 15 cm. The tiles are inserted at the top, 105 tiles at 1 m radius, 105 tiles at 2.5 m radius and 210 tiles at 5 m radius. There are 25,200 identical tiles in the chamber at any one time. At replacement time, the tiles slide down on the cooling channels and are removed at the bottom. Blankets are located behind the tiles as shown in the figure.

Neutronics Assessment and Assumptions

Neutronics calculations assess breeding potential as a function of ceramic breeder content and lithium enrichment Used HAPL target spectrum in 175 neutron, 42 gamma groups 4 cm graphite tiles with coolant rails (75% C, 10% FS, 15% Na) 1 m blanket made of 80% C/breeder mixture, 10% FS, 10% Na Assessed replacing FS/Na in tiles and blanket by SiC/He A zone consisting of 85% FS, 15% He used behind blanket to represent reflection from shield/VV Lithium silicate (Li4SiO4) used as ceramic breeder (breeder potential nearly the same for different ceramic breeders) Required local (1-D) TBR>1.15 for tritium self-sufficiency
8

Local TBR : No Breeding Materials

FW tiles 75% graphite 10% structure 15% coolant

Blanket X% Li4SiO4 (80-X)% graphite 10% structure 10% coolant

Largest TBR achieved with high breeder content / low Li enrichment Achievable TBR not adequate Replacing FS/Na by SiC/He is not Helpful

Local TBR : Addition of Be2C

FW tiles 55% graphite, 20% Be2C, 10% FS, 15% Na Blanket X% Li4SiO4, Y% Be2C, (80-X-Y)% graphite, 10% FS, 10% Na Be2C content was limited to 20%
% FS 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Blan ket Composition % Na % C % Li4SiO4 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 60 50 50 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 10 20 10 30 20 40 30 50 40 60 50 % Li % Be 2C 10 10 20 10 20 10 20 10 20 10 20 7.5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
6

0.792 0.825 0.883 0.912 0.858 0.892 0.939 0.963 0.949 0.979 0.978 0.998 1.003 1.028 1.008 1.024 1.040 1.061 1.032 1.045

0.894 0.964 0.964 1.001 1.034 1.025 1.069 1.043 1.091 1.058

0.927 0.945 0.957 0.964 0.968 0.971 0.973 0.983 0.991 0.994 0.994 0.994 0.992 0.990 0.999 1.018 1.031 1.039 1.044 1.047 1.049 1.010 1.012 1.011 1.008 1.005 1.000 0.995 1.054 1.063 1.066 1.067 1.067 1.065 1.063 1.029 1.027 1.023 1.018 1.011 1.005 0.997 1.080 1.082 1.081 1.078 1.075 1.070 1.065 1.044 1.039 1.033 1.025 1.016 1.007 0.998 1.096 1.094 1.090 1.085 1.079 1.072 1.065 1.056 1.049 1.040 1.030 1.020 1.009 0.999

1.069 1.086 1.107 1.108 1.104 1.097 1.089 1.081 1.072 1.063

Adding 20% Be2C in FW tiles and blanket results in ~15% increase in TBR Largest achievable local TBR is 1.108 with 50% Li4SiO4, 20% Be2C, 10% C, 10% FS, 10% Na in blanket and 30% lithium enrichment. This value is getting close to the goal value of 1.15

10

Further TBR Enhancement

Increasing Be2C content in blanket
Tiles: 55% graphite, 20% Be2C, 10% FS, 15% Na Blanket: 10% graphite, 30% Be2C, 10% FS, 10% Na, 40% ceramic breeder Local TBR = 1.16

Increasing Be2C content in FW tiles

Tiles: 45% graphite, 30% Be2C, 10% FS, 15% Na Blanket: 10% graphite, 30% Be2C, 10% FS, 10% Na, 40% ceramic breeder Local TBR = 1.18

Adding ceramic breeder in FW tiles

Tiles: 35% graphite, 30% Be2C, 10% FS, 15% Na, 10% ceramic breeder Blanket: 10% graphite, 30% Be2C, 10% FS, 10% Na, 40% ceramic breeder Local TBR = 1.19

It is possible to achieve adequate tritium breeding with the mobile tiles design with proper composition optimization keeping in mind constraints on material content

11

Cooling the Tiles is of Paramount Importance

The target energy in the form of ions, neutrons and x-rays impacts the tiles and is conducted to the back through the graphite. At this point the energy has to be transferred to the coolant channel. Radiating the energy is not adequate since it causes the front temperature to be excessive (2700 oC). A scheme for conducting the energy is shown in the figure. Graphite felt lines the inner channel of the tile facing the target. A linkage built into the cooling channels, when engaged applies forces on the the tile and compresses the graphite felt allowing the energy to be conducted to the cooling channel.

12

Estimating the Tile Surface Temperature

Assuming radiation, to transfer the energy from the tile to the coolant channel exceeds desirable temperatures at the surface. For example, assuming the coolant channel is at 200 oC, the maximum tile surface temperature is ~ 2700 oC. Conduction is needed to transfer heat from tile to the coolant rails. Tile temperature is critically dependent on the contact conductance between tile and coolant rails. This tile thermal conductivity and contact conductance can only be guessed at currently, though there are potential engineering improvements which can be considered. Graphite felt in the space between the tile and the coolant channel, when compressed, provides a conduction path. Assuming a coolant temperature at 400oC, a conductivity for the graphite felt of 1 W/mK, a thickness of 0.1 cm, resulting temperatures are shown below. x-rays
Type of deposit. Exponential Deposit. Depth(m) 2 Deposit. Time (ns) 1.4 Fluence (J/cm2) 0.39 Max. Temp. (oC) 1330

Burn ions
Uniform 10 1100 2.98 1400

Debris ions
Uniform 1 3800 4.0 1600
13

Maximum Tile Surface Temperature as a Function of Graphite Felt Conductivity

2400

2200

Coolant Channel Temp. 400 C

Maximum Tile Surface Temperature (C)

2000

1800

Coolant Channel Temp. 200 C

1600

1400

1200

1000 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5

The rmal Conductiv ity of Gr aphite Fe lt (W/mK

14

Progress Toward Measuring Thermal Contact Conductance

Estimation of the thermal contact resistance is a critical path issue for the mobile tiles and will be a strong function of temperature and interfacial pressure
30

30C

15C

IR Thermal Camera

Temperature (C)

256 x 256 InSb focal plane detector array Temp. resolution: 0.015C Spatial resolution: 7.5 mm

25

T/ X = -0.476C/mm T = 3.44C

20

Frame speed: 130 frames/sec

15 0 5 10

T/ X = -0.432C/mm
15 20

15

25

Length (mm)

Progress Toward Measuring Thermal Contact Conductance

Flux via electrical resistance delivered to mandrel of load frame

Top Specimen 25mm x 5mm diameter

TC for measure of ambient Temperature

Bottom Specimen 5mm x 5mm diameter

Sample Pair sat atop hemispherical tungsten carbide support

Estimation of the thermal contact resistance is a critical path issue for the 16 mobile tiles will be a strong function of temperature and interfacial pressure

Progress Toward Measuring Thermal Contact Conductance

The cover is place on the furnace and the heating elements placed in the top 4 slots to help induce heat flow. A sapphire widow is placed over the opening to retain heat while allowing for the capture of the thermal image

17

Test Set Up w/IR Camera

18

Test Schedule / Process

System tested at RT, 50, 100, 150, 200 C and 1, 25, 50, 75 MPa For these initial runs the top specimen was aluminum alloy and the bottom specimen a lower conductivity steel Data was taken at RT with and without the sapphire window There was a 20 minute interval between heat cycles For Example, lets say data was collected at 50 C for the 4 pressures. The furnace would cycle on, and allowed to heat to 100 C (10C/min). Once at 100 C, it was left there for 8 minutes, at which time the flux source was turned on. After 4 minutes, data collection began for the 4 pressures, after which time, the furnace began to heat up to 150 C. This continued up to 200 C, till all the data was collected.

19

319 vsData w/Curve Fit Raw Brico @ 50 C Ambient Test System Data
60 58 56
Temperature (C)
The linear approximations were obtained using the 5 mm closet to the interface for the top specimen and 3mm for the bottom specimen. The true location of the interface itself (the vertical line) is very subjective and sensitive to the calculation of the interface TCC.

1 MPa 25 MPa 50 MPa 75 MPa Series5 Series6

54 52 50 48 46 44 42 0 5

Flux was determined for both top and bottom specimens using (dT/dx)Kmatl, then averaged to get Qave. Qave/dTinterface = TCC (mW/mm2-C)

Series7 Series8

10 Distance (mm)

15

20

Thermal Contact Conductance of Model Al/Steel System 356 vs Exhaust Seat Mat'l (K=40.1)
240 200 160

TCC (mW/mm2-C)

200C 150C 100C

120

50C
80 40 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

20C

Pressure (MPa)
Additional optimization to the analysis program would be helpful, but system appears ready for application to a mobile tile graphite/metallic interface.
21

Fabricating Test Tiles - A Next Step ?

Properties and property evolution inreactor can only be estimated for this graphite-ceramic. Assuming preliminary designs suggest promise, property measurement on prototypic materials will be required. Mix Be2C powder ( ESPI Metals) Graphite powder, and carbon binder Dry mixture Hot press powder to ~ 1100 C (low temperature to avoid vapor hazard) Carbon binder will bond powders together under pressure

Interior of ORNL Brew hot press showing graphite die

22

next

23

Sawicki JNM 1989

24

Saeki JNM 81 Neutron irradiation to ~3E19 n/cm2, 250-400

25

JT-60 tile

26

27

Local TBR : No Breeding Materials

FW tiles : 75% graphite, 10% structure, 15% coolant Blanket : X% Li4SiO4, (80-X)% graphite, 10% structure, 10% coolant

FS structure, Na coolant
% Li4SiO4 10% Li4SiO4 20% Li4SiO4 30% Li4SiO4 40% Li4SiO4 50% Li4SiO4 60% Li4SiO4 70% Li4SiO4 7.5% 6Li 0.685 0.774 0.829 0.870 0.901 0.926 0.948 10% 6Li 0.714 0.800 0.851 0.887 0.914 0.937 0.956 20% 6Li 0.777 0.846 0.883 0.909 0.930 0.947 0.963 30% 6Li 40% 6Li 50% 6Li 60% 6Li 70% 6Li 80% 6Li 90% 6Li 0.806 0.822 0.832 0.838 0.841 0.843 0.845 0.861 0.867 0.869 0.869 0.868 0.866 0.863 0.890 0.891 0.889 0.886 0.882 0.877 0.872 0.911 0.909 0.904 0.898 0.892 0.885 0.878 0.929 0.924 0.916 0.908 0.900 0.891 0.882 0.944 0.936 0.927 0.917 0.906 0.896 0.885 0.957 0.947 0.936 0.924 0.912 0.900 0.888

SiC structure, He coolant

% Li4SiO4 10% Li4SiO4 20% Li4SiO4 30% Li4SiO4 40% Li4SiO4 50% Li4SiO4 60% Li4SiO4 70% Li4SiO4 7.5% 6Li 0.810 0.841 0.868 0.892 0.913 0.933 0.950 10% 6Li 0.811 0.841 0.867 0.890 0.911 0.930 0.947 20% 6Li 0.810 0.836 0.860 0.881 0.900 0.917 0.932 30% 6Li 40% 6Li 50% 6Li 60% 6Li 70% 6Li 80% 6Li 90% 6Li 0.808 0.805 0.803 0.800 0.797 0.794 0.792 0.831 0.826 0.821 0.816 0.810 0.805 0.800 0.852 0.845 0.837 0.829 0.822 0.814 0.807 0.871 0.861 0.851 0.842 0.832 0.822 0.813 0.888 0.876 0.864 0.853 0.841 0.830 0.818 0.903 0.890 0.876 0.863 0.849 0.836 0.823 0.917 0.902 0.887 0.872 0.857 0.842 0.827

Largest TBR achieved with high breeder content / low Li enrichment Achievable TBR not adequate Replacing FS/Na by SiC/He is not Helpful
28

Degradation in Thermal Conductivity

For graphite held in the 600-1000C range, thermal conductivity will slightly degrade and
density somewhat. Some recovery during furnace anneal will occur.
100
Snead data, recently unpublished

Thermal Conductivity (W/m-K)

80

H451 : T = 430C
irr

H451 Graphite
60

H451 : T = 710C
irr

900C 600C

40

20

Burchell data

0.2 dpa 0 0.1 1 10 100

2 dpa

1000

2 dpa 29

Time in HFIR Core (hours)