A novel technique for disruption simulation and accident analysis using an ET plasma source

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:323574

Sharpe, J P; Bourham, M A; Gilligan, J G ^[1]

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1. North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering

In order to generate defensible safety analyses for future tokamak reactors, disruption effects on plasma-facing materials and subsequent aerosol formation mechanisms must be well understood and benchmarked with a relevant database. One technique for disruption simulation involves the use of an electrothermal (ET) plasma source. The ET facility SIRENS at North Carolina State University has been modified to study disruption-induced aerosol mobilization for ITER relevant materials. Particle transport properties obtained from experiments will contribute to a materials database for use in ITER safety analysis. Electrothermal plasma sources have been used to simulate disruptions because magnitudes and physical mechanisms of heat transfer in the ET source are very similar to those in a disruption. However, to study vaporization and subsequent condensation of plasma-exposed surfaces requires modifications to the ET source. This paper describes the necessary modifications to SIRENS and provides a physical and parametric comparison of the experiment and its relevance to disruption mobilization in ITER.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-96ER54363
• OSTI ID: 323574
• Report Number(s): CONF-970559--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ACCIDENTS
AEROSOLS
EVAPORATION
ITER TOKAMAK
PLASMA DISRUPTION
SAFETY ANALYSIS
SIMULATION
THERMONUCLEAR REACTOR MATERIALS