July 25, 2023
The development of advanced liquid metal magnetohydrodynamics (LMMHD) simulation tools is crucial for progress in fusion energy research. Current codes, however, often lack user-friendly interfaces and portability for broader applications. This project aims to adapt an established multiphysics computational framework like ANSYS (finite-element analysis system) to facilitate the development of liquid metal (LM) blankets, which could accelerate the evaluation of design concepts and experimental mockups. By leveraging ANSYS’s state-of-the-art numerical methods, this approach has the potential to enable more efficient and accurate LM blanket development. Recent work at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has demonstrated promising advancements, particularly for high Hartmann numbers. This collaborative effort between PPPL and KFA (Kyoto Fusioneering America) seeks to extend the applicability of the multiphysics formulation to commercially viable blanket designs and accelerate the development of its own self-cooled lithium lead blanket.