General Atomics

Advanced SiC-based materials accelerate fusion energy and development of fusion pilot plant concept

San Diego, July 13 – Researchers at General Atomics (GA) announced a new concept for advancing fusion energy using advanced Silicon Carbide (SiC)–based materials that can withstand the intense conditions within a high-power fusion device. Offering significant safety and environmental advantages, the GA Modular Blanket (GAMBL) concept will support the accelerated development of a fusion pilot plant capable of producing safe, clean, and always-on energy.

GAMBL advances the design for the breeding blanket, a critical component of a fusion reactor that absorbs neutrons, produces heat, and creates tritium to make the fusion fuel cycle self-sufficient. It is described in an article published this month in the journal Fusion Engineering and Design.

Many concepts for fusion power plants use "reduced-activation" steel for components like the blanket because it resists becoming radioactive better than conventional steels. Advanced materials such as SiC have even lower activation properties and are therefore viewed as superior solutions. SiC's ability to survive much higher temperatures than steel also means it can support more efficient electricity generation.

However, despite its excellent strength and durability, SiC has not been viewed as a long-term solution due to uncertainties about its material properties and its limited ability to contain the high-pressure helium that is envisioned as a coolant fluid in many reactor designs. GAMBL overcomes these challenges by introducing several novel features, including engineered SiC-tungsten materials for interior surfaces of the tokamak. This allows for superior heat-removal capabilities and durability, and a modular approach that enables fabrication using existing technologies.

"Current near-term designs for prototype fusion reactors rely on steels, but SiC-based materials have unique advantages such as low activation, high-temperature strength, and an ability to couple to a highly efficient power conversion system," said Mark Tillack, who led the GAMBL design team. "GAMBL leverages the capabilities of SiC-based materials to deliver an inherently safe, environmentally friendly design."

Since the 2010s, GA has conducted a robust R&D program to develop SiC composites for fourth-generation fission reactors and accident-tolerant fuel rods. For fusion, GAMBL's simplified cooling system and absence of steel means the system can deliver much higher temperatures (>1000C vs ~500C) to the turbine-generators. This means much higher power-plant efficiency and less-expensive electricity compared to designs using low-activation steel.

"The approach to design structures between metallic alloys and ceramic-composite components is very different," said Yutai Katoh, Interim Director of Materials Science and Technology Division and Program Director for Fusion Materials at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. "Because of this, the fusion energy community has been reluctant to seriously pursue reactor designs using SiC composites. GAMBL is the type of effort that is needed if we want to maintain options for fusion reactors that offer cost competitiveness and public acceptance."

About General Atomics: Since the dawn of the atomic age, General Atomics innovations have advanced the state of the art across the full spectrum of science and technology – from nuclear energy and defense to medicine and high-performance computing. Behind a talented global team of scientists, engineers, and professionals, GA's unique experience and capabilities continue to deliver safe, sustainable, economical, and innovative solutions to meet growing global demands.

For more information contact: 
Evan Polisar
Strategic Communications Manager
858-455-3474
Evan.Polisar@ga.com