Proposal for a flowing liquid Lithium Heating Experiment (Lithex)

In the IFMIF (International Fusion Material Irradiation Facility) facility a rapid temperature increase in the flowing Lithium during its transit under the proton beam is expected. Enhanced erosion, caused by pitting phenomena, or flow instabilities may arise from the sudden heating. A side experiment, to develop experience on these potential problems, to be carried on during the EVEDA (Engineering Validation Engineering Design Activities) phase is strongly needed in view of the IFMIF facility realization. In the paper an analysis of a possible simplified experiment performed on liquid flowing lithium target heated by an electron beam source is discussed, mainly concerning dimensioning, scaling effects, detailed calculations of the electron heating deposition scenarios and experiment significance.