Comparison of lithium and the eutectic lead-lithium alloy, two candidate liquid metal breeder materials for self-cooled blankets

Liquid metal blankets are attractive candidates for both near-term and long-term fusion applications. The subjects of this comparison are the differences between the two candidate liquid metal breeder materials Li and LiPb for use in breeding blankets in the areas of neutronics, magnetohydrodynamics, tritium control, compatibility with structural materials, heat extraction system, safety, and required research and development program. Both candidates appear to be promising for use in self-cooled breeding blankets which have inherent simplicity with the liquid metal serving as both breeder and coolant. Each liquid metal breeder has advantages and concerns associated with it, and further development is needed to resolve these concerns. The remaining feasibility question for both breeder materials is the electrical insulation between the liquid metal and the duct walls. Different ceramic coatings are required for the two breeders, and their crucial issues, namely self-healing of insulator cracks and tolerance to radiation-induced electrical degradation, have not yet been demonstrated.