Analysis of flow channel insert deformations influence on the transport phenomena in liquid metal channels under magnetic fields.

The dual coolant lithium lead (DCLL) concept is a candidate to be effective breeding blanket (BB) for nuclear fusion technologies. Critical point of this concept is the magneto- hydrodynamic (MHD) effects involving Lorentz damping force. Flow Channel Insert (FCI) seems to be the best candidate to de-coupling the liquid PbLi from the EUROFER walls. Neutron flux coming from the plasma heats up the solid structure, the liquid metal and the FCI. The impact of the FCI on the velocity profile was here analyzed. First was computed velocity for a channel without flow channel insert, then a parametric study was conduced. MHD effects under fusion relevant condition (Ha = 7570 and Re = 22700) are investigated and a further temperature calculation, starting from external heat deposition, was made. At the end the critical zone for FCI deformations were detected and a suitable geometries was built up. Results on FCI deformation impact on MHD effects are shown.