A nested pebble bed blanket architecture has been developed to address major engineering limitations associated with fusion reactor blankets. The design supports efficient tritium generation and enables isotope production and element transmutation. Further by simplifying construction, and allowing continuous fuel handling, the technology aims to reduce operational complexity and accelerate the deployment of practical fusion
This technology provides a pressure relief device designed for cryogenic fusion systems operating at extremely low temperatures. It enables reliable performance in environments containing radioactive tritium fusion fuel gas and can function repeatedly under these challenging conditions. By maintaining safe operating pressures in advanced fusion fuel systems, the invention supports the development of future fusion
Fusion power systems require reliable methods to deliver hydrogen isotopes into high-temperature plasmas for sustained energy production. Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a cryogenic pellet injection system compatible with tritium operation under reactor-relevant conditions. The system enables precise, repeatable delivery of cryogenic fuel pellets with materials that are tritium compatible, supporting long operational lifetimes
This technology provides a tritium-compatible pellet injector fuel source designed for plasma fueling in fusion energy systems. The system enables continuous pellet formation and delivery at cryogenic temperatures, addressing challenges in reliability, material compatibility, and continuous operation under extreme conditions. By improving pellet production and handling, this invention supports advancements in continuous fusion energy performance.
Efficient fueling for magnetically confined fusion power systems requires continuous recirculation of cryogenic fuel material. This technology introduces a method for returning excess solid extrusion back into a cryogenic extruder without the need for large-scale gas reprocessing. By simplifying the recirculation process and maintaining consistent pressure, the invention improves system efficiency and reduces overall fusion
The technology introduces an advanced fusion blanket design that addresses one of the key engineering challenges associated with liquid-metal breeding blankets: excessive pressure losses during breeder/coolant circulation. The design employs a novel breeder/coolant flow architecture that improves system performance while supporting tritium breeding and heat removal functions. The result is a fusion blanket concept with
The Nested Pebble Bed Blanket (NesPeB) is an advanced blanket architecture for fusion devices designed to address key limitations of existing blanket concepts, including material compatibility challenges, sufficient tritium production, maintenance complexity, and operational reliability. The technology uses a novel pebble-based configuration that integrates tritium breeding, structural, and cooling functions into a unified system. By
