Liquid-metal MHD energy conversion in fusion reactors

The purpose of the present work is to assess the viability of a novel approach to high-temperature fusion blanket power conversion - liquid-metal magnetohydrodynamics (LMMHD). The following power-conversion LMMHD PCSs and lithium-cooled blanket LMMHD PCSs. LMMHD PCSs might enable converting high-temperature blanket energy into electricity at efficiencies of the order of 60%. Being free of moving parts, at least in the high-temperature range, the LMMHD PCS technology appears to be better suited than PCS technology based on turbomachinery. Indeed, certain LMMHD PCSs could be designed to be completely static and practically hermetically sealed. This provides a simple system, with expected high reliability, facilitated maintenance, and tritium control. Moreover, in none of the LMMHD PCSs considered is there a need for lithium-to-water heat exchange, thus avoiding safety and tritium handling difficulties