Potential consequences of tokamak fusion reactor accidents: the materials impact

Abstract

Seven potential safety concerns for D-T fusion reactors were examined and the influence of blanket material choice determined. This influence was quantified in terms of Relative Consequence Indices (RCI) according to prescribed consequence criteria. The safety concerns included: (1) continued plasma heating after a loss-of-coolant, (2) afterheat after loss-of-coolant, (3) plasma disruption effects, (4) transients due to rapid chemical combustion or leakage of pressurized fluids, (5) rapid structural oxidation and volatilization, (6) corrosion, and (7) public health consequences of unit volume amounts of released radioactivity. Selected combinations of structural material (316 SS, HT-9, V-alloy, or TZM), primary coolant (pressurized water, helium, lithium, or flibe), and tritium breeder (LiAlO/sub 2/, lithium, or Li/sub 17/Pb/sup 83/) were examined. The analyses and indices were structured to focus on the specific material properties that influence the results, which allows for comparison of materials not included in the present study.