Description of need
According to Ally Yost of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Nuclear fusion that use molten salts (like Commonwealth Fusion Systems) need molten salt pumps. These pumps sit outside the blanket and moves molten salt around the primary loop.
Requirements according to Davin Young at Commonwealth Fusion Systems(see 2023-08-31 Davin Young (CFS)):
- Cannot melt in hot FLiBe (~480 ºC after heat exchanger or ~630 ºC before)
- Cannot corrode in hot FLiBe: minimum 2 years between maintenance
- Must survive the neutrons, tritium, daughter nuclides, etc.
- 1-2 m3/s flowrate
- 2-20 bar in outlet pressure (10-100 m of head)
Problem severity (1-10)
5
Who has this need
- Fusion companies that use molten salts such as FLiBe
- Perhaps fission companies that use FLiBe (e.g. Kairos Power)?
- Perhaps Concentrated solar power companies that use molten salts?
Total addressable market (TAM)
Unknown
Solutions today, and their shortcomings
Hayward Tyler is the leading manufacturer of canned motor pumps. But existing canned motor pumps are not compatible with FLiBe.
Potentially relevant capabilities
Unknown