Development of a hydrogen electrothermal accelerator for plasma fueling

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7082116

Schuresko, D D; Milora, S L; Combs, S K; Foust, C R; Argo, B E; Barber, G C; Foster, C A; Ponte, N S

We have developed a prototype high velocity pneumatic pellet injector which utilizes hydrogen plasma propellant generated in a high current arc discharge. A single barrel pneumatic pellet gun has been fitted with a cylindrical arc chamber interposed between the hydrogen propellant inlet valve and the gun breech. The chamber incorporates a ceramic insert for generating vortex flow in the incoming gas stream, which provides azimuthal arc stabilization. The arc is initiated after the propellant valve opens and the breech pressure starts to rise; a typical discharge lasts 150-300 microseconds with peak currents up to 2 kA. The gun has been operated with 4mm diameter by 6 to 11 mm long deuterium and hydrogen pellets. At 100 bar breech pressure (hydrogen propellant), the arc characteristics are = 350 to 800 V, = 600 A, so that 60 to 150 joules of electrical power is dissipated. Pellet speeds increase by 300 to 500 m/s depending on the projectile mass, which typically represents a 10 joule increment in the pellet kinetic energy. Velocities up to 1.7 km/s for deuterium pellets and 2.0 km/s for hydrogen pellets have been achieved. Comparing these data to muzzle velocities calculated from lossless, one-dimensional compressible flow gun theory demonstrates that substantial propellant heating, resulting in increased propellant sound speed, has been achieved.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 7082116
• Report Number(s): CONF-861019-12; ON: DE87001823
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
CURRENTS
DEUTERIUM
ELECTRIC ARCS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELEMENTS
FUELS
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PELLET INJECTION
STABLE ISOTOPES
THERMONUCLEAR FUELS
VELOCITY