Research Explorer

Project

Coping with Po in a Pb-Li breeding blanket for nuclear fusion: insight from quantum simulations
Code
3F016615
Duration
01 October 2015 → 30 September 2019
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Atomic and molecular physics
    • Theoretical and computational chemistry
    • Other chemical sciences
  • Engineering and technology
    • Electrical power engineering
    • Energy generation, conversion and storage engineering
    • Catalysis and reacting systems engineering
    • Chemical product design and formulation
    • General chemical and biochemical engineering
    • Process engineering
    • Separation and membrane technologies
    • Transport phenomena
    • Other (bio)chemical engineering
    • Ceramic and glass materials
    • Materials science and engineering
    • Semiconductor materials
    • Other materials engineering
    • Other engineering and technology
Keywords
radioactivity quantum simulation tritium breeding blankets liquid PbLi breeder pollonium chemistry po nuclear fusion
 
Project description
 

Ab initio quantum simulations will be used to predict which Po-containing molecules and solid phases can be formed near a Pb-Li eutectic. This is vital knowledge for designing a safe and licensable PbLi breeder blanket for nuclear fusion reactors. There is a particular need for simulations in this research area, as experiments with the highly radiotoxic element Po are cumbersome.