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Title: Evaluation of an Electrostatic Dust Removal System with Potential Application in Next-Step Fusion Devices

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1003008· OSTI ID:1003008
 [1]
  1. Grinnell College, IA (United States)

The ability to manage inventories of carbon, tritium, and high-Z elements in fusion plasmas depends on means for effective dust removal. A dust conveyor, based on a moving electrostatic potential well, was tested with particles of tungsten, carbon, glass and sand. A digital microscope imaged a representative portion of the conveyor, and dust particle size and volume distributions were derived before and after operation. About 10 mm3 volume of carbon and tungsten particles were moved in under 5 seconds. The highest driving amplitude tested of 3 kV was the most effective. The optimal driving frequency was 210 Hz (maximum tested) for tungsten particles, decreasing to below 60 Hz for the larger sand particles. Measurements of particle size and volume distributions after 10 and 100 cycles show the breaking apart of agglomerated carbon, and the change in particle distribution over short timescales (<1 s).

Research Organization:
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
ACO2-09CH11466
OSTI ID:
1003008
Report Number(s):
PPPL-4596
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English