Lithium ceramics have been considered as candidates for solid breeder
materials for fusion reactors. In lithium ceramics, lithium oxide (Li2
O) is one of the best tritium breeders from the standpoint of high lit
hium density and high thermal conductivity. Recently, several studies
have been carried out on the fabrication of small, spherical Li2O form
s to reduce the induced thermal stress in the breeder. A mass-producti
on process for making small pebbles was developed using the melting gr
anulation method. In the present work, the characteristics of Li2O peb
bles fabricated by this method, and mass transfer properties within a
Li2O pebble bed, are discussed.