Loss of Liquid Lithium Coolant in an Accident in a DONES Test Cell Facility

Danilo Nicola Dongiovanni and Matteo D’Onorio
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Danilo Nicola Dongiovanni: ENEA, CR. Frascati, FSN-TEN Department, via Enrico Fermi, 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
Matteo D’Onorio: Department of Astronautical Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, C.so Vittorio Emanuele II 244, 00186 Rome, Italy

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-15

Abstract: A Demo-Oriented early NEutron Source (DONES) facility for material irradiation with nuclear is currently being designed. DONES aims to produce neutrons with fusion-relevant spectrum and fluence by means of D–Li stripping reactions occurring between a deuteron beam impacting a stable liquid lithium flowing film implementing the target. Given the hazard constituted by the liquid lithium inventory and the potential risk of reactions with water, air, and concrete eventually resulting in fire events, the Target Test Cell (TTC) is filled with helium and the reinforced concrete walls forming the bio-shield are covered with steel liners. A loss of Li in TTC, due to a large break in the Quench Tank, is postulated, and consequences are deterministically studied. With the TTC liner being water-cooled, the impact of the liner temperature rise following a leakage event is evaluated. Two separate MELCOR code models have been defined for the liquid lithium loop and water-cooled loop and are numerically coupled. The amount of leaked inventory dependent on the implemented safety logic and impact on TTC containment is evaluated. The water pressurization pattern within the liner cooling loop is studied to highlight possible risks of lithium–water/concrete reactions.

Keywords: fusion; DONES; liquid lithium; LOCA; Melcor; numeric coupling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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