Unsolved issues on tritium mass transfer in Li–Pb liquid blankets

Abstract In order to estimate mass-transfer properties of tritium (T) in Li + Pb binary alloys as a blanket material for fusion reactors, variations of the H solubility with different Li and Pb compositions are presented. Deviation of the Li + Pb binary liquid mixture from an ideal solution model is discussed, and a correlation is proposed for predicting properties of various Li + Pb alloys. Isotope effects on solubility and diffusivity of Li 17 Pb 83 between H and D are correlated based on an isotropic harmonic oscillation model. The zero-point energy of H atoms dissolved in Li 17 Pb 83 is determined from the comparison with the model. Wettability at the interface between liquid Li 17 Pb 83 and metallic walls and effects of impurities on H solubility are discussed.