APEX ADVANCED FERRITIC STEEL, AND BLANKET DESIGN FLIBE SELF-COOLED FIRST WALL

As part of the U.S. Advanced Power Extraction (APEX) program, this study investigates the feasibility of using advanced nanocomposite ferritic steel (AFS) as the structural material combined with Flibe as the tritium breeder and coolant for the design of a self-cooled first wall and blanket. The research focuses on optimizing the recirculating flow configuration as the reference design. Analyzing the material properties of AFS reveals that this design can withstand significant surface heat loads and effectively promote heat transfer necessary for efficient operation in fusion environments. Computational simulations were employed to assess the thermal and structural integrity of the proposed design under expected operational conditions. Results indicate that the AFS and Flibe combination offers promising advantages including enhanced durability and thermal management capabilities compared to conventional materials. The findings contribute valuable insights into advanced fusion reactor material designs, supporting ongoing developments in fusion energy technology. This work not only advances the engineering understanding of material interactions in high-performance environments but also assists in addressing the challenges of reactor design and safety in future fusion energy applications.