Numerical investigation and analytical modelling of MHD effects in Lead-Lithium flows within inclined circular ducts of DCLL breeding blankets.

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Title: Numerical investigation and analytical modelling of MHD effects in Lead-Lithium flows within inclined circular ducts of DCLL breeding blankets.
Authors: Camera, G.1,2,3 (AUTHOR) gianluca.camera@unina.it, Iannoni, S.1 (AUTHOR), Iasiello, M.1 (AUTHOR), Bianco, N.1 (AUTHOR), Di Gironimo, G.1,3,4 (AUTHOR)
Source: Fusion Engineering & Design. Jul2026, Vol. 228, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Magnetohydrodynamics, Pressure drop (Fluid dynamics), Mathematical models, Lithium-lead alloys, Fusion reactor blankets, Fluid dynamics, Computer simulation
Abstract: The breeding blanket is a key component of nuclear fusion reactors, ensuring heat extraction and tritium breeding. In breeding blankets concepts based on liquid metals, like the Dual-Cooled Lead-Lithium (DCLL) blanket, the exposition to strong magnetic fields leads to magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) effects acting on the flow. Due to the fluid motion, eddy currents are induced inside the fluid and interact with the magnetic field, giving rise to opposing Lorentz forces. They cause significant pressure drop, also reducing the heat transfer efficiency. The present study investigates the impact of the inclination of the duct with respect to the magnetic field on the MHD-induced pressure losses in PbLi flows within DCLL blanket - like geometries. For different values of the inclination angle and keeping constant the boundary conditions, numerical simulations were carried out through the commercial finite element code COMSOL Multiphysics. The numerical results are then compared with two analytical models, introduced in this manuscript, for predicting the MHD pressure drop. The comparison showed consistent trends as the inclination angle varies and highlighted the difference between the two analytical models, given that the first model neglects the conduction currents and the second one is much more based on the expected current path on the section. This comparison allowed us to better understand the role of eddy and conduction currents in the pressure losses besides the impact of geometric parameters. These findings and the analytical modelling can contribute to the optimization of the hydraulic efficiency of the blanket and provide practical tools to facilitate and support the preliminary design of future breeding blankets. • Study focused on DCLL Breeding Blanket concepts. • MHD effects and fluid-dynamics analysis on parametric inclined ducts. • Developed correlations for simplified analytical model for pressure drop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Fusion Engineering & Design is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Numerical investigation and analytical modelling of MHD effects in Lead-Lithium flows within inclined circular ducts of DCLL breeding blankets.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Magnetohydrodynamics%22">Magnetohydrodynamics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pressure+drop+%28Fluid+dynamics%29%22">Pressure drop (Fluid dynamics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematical+models%22">Mathematical models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Lithium-lead+alloys%22">Lithium-lead alloys</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fusion+reactor+blankets%22">Fusion reactor blankets</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fluid+dynamics%22">Fluid dynamics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+simulation%22">Computer simulation</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The breeding blanket is a key component of nuclear fusion reactors, ensuring heat extraction and tritium breeding. In breeding blankets concepts based on liquid metals, like the Dual-Cooled Lead-Lithium (DCLL) blanket, the exposition to strong magnetic fields leads to magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) effects acting on the flow. Due to the fluid motion, eddy currents are induced inside the fluid and interact with the magnetic field, giving rise to opposing Lorentz forces. They cause significant pressure drop, also reducing the heat transfer efficiency. The present study investigates the impact of the inclination of the duct with respect to the magnetic field on the MHD-induced pressure losses in PbLi flows within DCLL blanket - like geometries. For different values of the inclination angle and keeping constant the boundary conditions, numerical simulations were carried out through the commercial finite element code COMSOL Multiphysics. The numerical results are then compared with two analytical models, introduced in this manuscript, for predicting the MHD pressure drop. The comparison showed consistent trends as the inclination angle varies and highlighted the difference between the two analytical models, given that the first model neglects the conduction currents and the second one is much more based on the expected current path on the section. This comparison allowed us to better understand the role of eddy and conduction currents in the pressure losses besides the impact of geometric parameters. These findings and the analytical modelling can contribute to the optimization of the hydraulic efficiency of the blanket and provide practical tools to facilitate and support the preliminary design of future breeding blankets. • Study focused on DCLL Breeding Blanket concepts. • MHD effects and fluid-dynamics analysis on parametric inclined ducts. • Developed correlations for simplified analytical model for pressure drop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Fusion Engineering & Design is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2026.115775
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 1
        StartPage: N.PAG
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Magnetohydrodynamics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pressure drop (Fluid dynamics)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematical models
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Lithium-lead alloys
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fusion reactor blankets
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fluid dynamics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer simulation
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Numerical investigation and analytical modelling of MHD effects in Lead-Lithium flows within inclined circular ducts of DCLL breeding blankets.
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            NameFull: Camera, G.
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            NameFull: Iannoni, S.
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            NameFull: Bianco, N.
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Text: Jul2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 09203796
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              Value: 228
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