Helium Bubbles in Liquid Lead Lithium Solutions: Pressure Inhomogeneities at Interfaces and Non Ideal Mixture Effects

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to analyze helium bubble formation, interfacial tension, and pressure effects in liquid lead-lithium alloys relevant for nuclear fusion reactors.

Contribution

It provides new insights into helium segregation, interfacial properties, and pressure inhomogeneities in lead-lithium systems through detailed simulation analysis.

Findings

Interfacial tension varies with temperature and composition.

Pressure inhomogeneities are linked to bubble curvature.

Helium segregation behavior depends on alloy composition.

Abstract

The extremely low solubility of helium in liquid metals may lead to rapid supersaturation, promoting spontaneous formation of helium bubbles by nucleation. Once nucleated, the stability of these bubbles is governed by the properties of the helium liquid metal interface. In particular, interfacial tension between the immiscible phases controls bubble interactions and induces local pressure inhomogeneities. This work is motivated by the need of a better understanding of helium bubble formation in liquid Pb Li alloys, which are of particular relevance for the design of breeding blankets in the future nuclear fusion reactors. We employ classical molecular dynamics simulations to investigate helium segregation in a range of lead lithium systems, including the limiting cases of pure lead and pure lithium. Changes in local pressure are evaluated from direct mechanical calculations, enabling the characterization of interfacial properties. Interfacial tension and radius of the bubble are subsequently determined across multiple thermodynamic conditions, spanning temperatures starting near the melting points of the constituent metals up to 1021 K. The impact of curvature and composition of the alloy on the interfacial behaviour are also investigated.