MaPLE: A versatile facility for investigating MHD convective flows

With MaPLE ( Ma gnetohydrodynamic P b L i E xperiment), KIT provides an experimental research facility to investigate magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects affecting liquid metal blankets of future fusion reactors using the prototypical liquid metal PbLi. The facility is designed to enable heat transfer studies in free, forced, or mixed magneto-convective flows in simple ducts and more complex typical geometries relevant to liquid metal breeder blankets. It features a versatile infrastructure that allows experimental examination of flows at any orientation with respect to gravity under a transverse magnetic field, as those occurring in a fusion blanket. While MaPLE has been primarily designed to explore the combined MHD and buoyancy effects, the facility can also support the development of measuring techniques at high temperatures and strong magnetic fields. In synergy with the well-established MEKKA facility, which offers an even larger experimental magnetic volume, MaPLE is also suited for analyzing PbLi flows in complex geometries such as scaled mock-ups of fusion blankets. Identified as one of EUROfusion Technological Hubs, MaPLE will support the development of breeding blankets the European demonstration fusion power plant DEMO, and the international ITER project. The main features and characteristics of the facility are described in this paper, and the roadmap for the first experimental campaigns is presented.