Speaker
Description
Lithium hydride (LiH) is widely used as a neutron attenuator in gamma-ray diagnostics for fusion reactors. These include diagnostics on past machines (e.g., JET) as well as future devices, such as the ITER Neutral Particle Analyser and Radial Gamma-Ray Spectrometer. Despite its utility, LiH remains a hazardous material: it reacts violently with water, including air moisture, producing lithium hydroxide and hydrogen, which is highly flammable, and thermally decomposes at elevated temperatures even under inert atmospheres. In the case of a fire scenario, this decomposition can generate substantial pressure inside the attenuator, and if the containment fails, the released hydrogen could ignite, potentially causing an explosion. In this work, we present experimental results on the internal pressure evolution of a LiH attenuator as it is heated, which, although initial, provide guidance for safety considerations.
