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U.S. Department of Energy
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Sulfur hexafluoride reprocessing system design for a large pulsed power accelerator

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5466595

The Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator-II (PBFA-II) is a large, high power accelerator being constructed at Sandia National Labs to conduct research in inertial confinement fusion. One key to the success of this machine is the ability to produce an electrical pulse at the target with a well defined shape (power versus time). This requires that the 36 electrical drivers be initiated with good simultaneity. Simultaneity (or jitter) of the 36 module shot outputs is controlled by a sequence of pulse outputs starting at the control/monitor input to the trigger amplifier and then to the Marx trigger generators, the Marx generators, and finally the rimfire switches. A homogeneous insulating vapor in these switches is thought to reduce the jitter; however, actual data are not available to establish this concept. PBFA-II uses sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) for this insulating vapor. This paper describes the requirements placed on an SF6 reprocessing system when operating in a fusion research accelerator, resulting in criteria used to design the reprocessing system, and the subsequent design implemented to meet these criteria.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5466595
Report Number(s):
SAND-84-2518C; CONF-850616-45; ON: DE85013756
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English