In the relentless pursuit of harnessing fusion energy, scientists are tackling one of the most formidable challenges: protecting the plasma-facing components (PFCs) of future fusion power plants. These components, armored with tungsten, face extreme environments that cause inevitable erosion. Enter Jannik Tweer, a researcher from Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, who is pioneering a novel approach to extend the life of these critical components.
Tweer and his team have developed a method using wire-based laser metal deposition (LMD-w) to coat tungsten armored PFCs, effectively regenerating them in situ. This process not only compensates for eroded material but also heals thermal-induced damage. “The LMD-w process fulfills the necessary requirements for use in the reactor vessel,” Tweer explains. “We’ve already proven that it can heal thermal damage in the plasma-facing materials.”
The team’s recent study, published in the journal “Nuclear Materials and Energy,” tested these coated components under fusion-relevant thermal loads in the electron beam facility JUDITH 2. They subjected the coatings to steady state and transient thermal loads expected in the divertor area of future demonstration power plants. The coatings were tested with cyclic steady state thermal loading equivalent to heat fluxes of 10 MW/m² and 15 MW/m², as well as combined steady state and transient loading scenarios to simulate exposure to edge localized modes (ELMs).
The results were promising. Profile measurements and cross-sectional micrographs revealed the influence of thermal stress on the deposited layers, providing valuable insights into the performance of LMD-w layers under extreme conditions. “The temperature data obtained from the high heat flux experiments was processed and analyzed to understand the behavior of these coatings under fusion-relevant conditions,” Tweer adds.
The implications of this research are significant for the energy sector. As fusion energy inches closer to commercialization, the ability to regenerate and repair plasma-facing components could dramatically reduce downtime and maintenance costs. This could accelerate the deployment of fusion power plants, bringing us one step closer to a future powered by clean, limitless energy.
Tweer’s work is not just about extending the life of components; it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in fusion energy. As the field continues to evolve, innovations like LMD-w will be crucial in overcoming the technical challenges that stand in the way of commercial fusion power. This research opens up new possibilities for the energy sector, paving the way for a future where fusion energy plays a pivotal role in meeting global energy demands sustainably.