Status of advanced neutron multiplier development for DEMO in the Broader Approach activities in Japan

Nakamichi, Masaru; Yonehara, Kazuo; Nishitani, Takeo

Development of beryllium intermetallic compound (beryllide) as advanced neutron multiplier has been started as a part of the Broader Approach activities. The beryllium handling facility where fabrication of beryllide is planned will be installed in the DEMO R&D building at Rokkasho, Japan. The specifications of processing and testing devices were fixed, and the basic data of these devices was obtained for the licensing of the beryllium handling facility. The beryllide fabrication devices are the key components of the beryllium handling facility. Preliminary sintering test of TiAl intermetallic as an alternative material of beryllide was carried out using mixed with Ti and Al powders. The formations of TiAl and TiAl intermetallics were identified using starting mixed powder of Ti and Al. From the result of this preliminary sintering test, it is assumed that beryllide could be directly synthesized by the plasma sintering method from mixed powder particles of Be and Ti.