Effects of gelation and sintering conditions on granulation of Li2TiO3 pebbles from Li–Ti complex solution

Progress of fusion nuclear technologies in the broader approach framework

“…In addition to R&D on one of the most promising blanket type, the pebbles bed concept [11,12], parties are pursuing also R&D on more advanced concept such as a helium cooled lithium lead blanket concept [12]. Based on the common interests of those parties in DEMO, R&Ds on reduced activation ferritic/martensitic (RAFM) steels [13,14] as structural material, SiC f /SiC composites [15] as a flow channel insert material and/or alternative structural material, advanced tritium breeders [16] and neutron multipliers [17], and tritium technology relevant to the DEMO operational condition are carried out through the BA DEMO R&D program [18]. In the Rokkasho BA site, the DEMO R&D building was completed in March 2010, and the installation of research equipment was almost completed by March 2011.…”

Status and perspective of the R&D on ceramic breeder materials for testing in ITER

“…EU and Japan have developed in the past several years three materials that are the candidates for their respective home DEMO reactors, which will be used for testing in ITER. They include the Li 4 SiO 4 pebbles produced by melt-spraying [1] (EU-FZK with the collaboration of Schott Glas, Mainz), the Li 2 TiO 3 pebbles produced by extrusion-spheronization-sintering [2] (EU-CEA with the collaboration of the industrial firm 'Céramiques Techniques et Industrielles'), and Li 2 TiO 3 pebbles produced by a wet process [3,4] (JAEA, ENEA). In addition, SCICAS in China has produced small batches of Li 4 SiO 4 as well as Li 2 TiO 3 pebbles based on the extrusion-spheronization-sintering and binder-free wet methods, respectively [5].…”

“…In particular, the cracks in the gel spheres were almost entirely eliminated, while shrinkage occurred after sintering (1200°C for 4 h) and surface morphology has been improved in comparison with the extrusion technique. Spherical pebbles of various sizes (0.5-1.5 mm) have been produced by these processes [3][4][5]; however, there is no published data on the characteristics of the pebbles fabricated.…”

Development of fabrication technologies for advanced breeding functional materials For DEMO reactors

“…Although Li 2 TiO 3 pebbles were first fabricated through a direct wet process [9,10], the fabrication technique of these tritium breeder pebbles has not been established for large quantities. Therefore, this work aimed to develop a fabrication technique of Li 2+x TiO 3+y pebbles using the emulsion method, which is a sol-gel method.…”