LAPSE:2023.18541
Published Article

LAPSE:2023.18541
Loss of Liquid Lithium Coolant in an Accident in a DONES Test Cell Facility
March 8, 2023
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.
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.
Record ID
Keywords
DONES, fusion, liquid lithium, LOCA, Melcor, numeric coupling
Subject
Suggested Citation
Dongiovanni DN, D’Onorio M. Loss of Liquid Lithium Coolant in an Accident in a DONES Test Cell Facility. (2023). LAPSE:2023.18541
Author Affiliations
Dongiovanni DN: ENEA, CR. Frascati, FSN-TEN Department, via Enrico Fermi, 45, 00044 Frascati, Italy
D’Onorio M: Department of Astronautical Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, C.so Vittorio Emanuele II 244, 00186 Rome, Italy [ORCID]
D’Onorio M: Department of Astronautical Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, C.so Vittorio Emanuele II 244, 00186 Rome, Italy [ORCID]
Journal Name
Energies
Volume
14
Issue
20
First Page
6569
Year
2021
Publication Date
2021-10-12
ISSN
1996-1073
Version Comments
Original Submission
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PII: en14206569, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.18541
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https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206569
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Mar 8, 2023
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