Circulating liquid metal divertor (CLMD)

Shimada, Michiya; Hirooka, Yoshihiko*

The use of circulating liquid metal is proposed to facilitate heat handling of the divertor, which is a very serious and challenging issue in fusion reactors. Two solid metal casings are placed where the separatrix magnetic surface hits. Each casing contains an electrode which can be biased positively or negatively with respect to the casing. The casing is filled with liquid metal like Ga, Sn or other metals with low melting point and low chemical activity. The j B force due to the radial current drives the poloidal motion of the liquid metal in such a way that the temperature rise at the separatrix hit point is kept at an acceptable level.