Hydrogen Isotope Retention and Permeation in Neutron-Irradiated Tungsten and Tungsten Alloys Under PHENIX Collaboration

Irradiation effects on heat-load and heat removal, thermo-mechanical properties, and tritium behavior in neutron-irradiated tungsten and tungsten alloy are being investigated under US-Japan PHENIX (Plasma facing components evaluation by tritium Plasma, HEat and Neutron Irradiation eXperiments) collaboration (2013–2018) to demonstrate feasibility and safety of helium-cooled divertor concept for a fusion demonstration (DEMO) and future fusion reactors. The PHENIX Task 3 is aimed at improved understanding of irradiation response on tritium retention and permeation in tungsten and tungsten alloys under divertor-relevant high-flux plasma for a Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF) and DEMO. This paper describes the challenge in elucidating tritium behavior in neutron-irradiated plasma facing components (PFCs), the PHENIX plans for neutron-irradiation and post irradiation examination, and progress in tritium behavior in neutron-irradiated tungsten.