Capacitor bank module for multi megajoule energy storage

Abstract

Within the context of the Pulsed Power Conditioning System (PPCS) development undertaken by the CEA for the Megajoule laser (LMJ) facility [1], a new capacitor bank module (CBM) has been developed by the IHCE (Tomsk) and ITHPP (France). Full PPCS of the LMJ consists of 480 CBM. Two CBMs were produced and tested in Tomsk. Main parts of the CBM are: HV power supplies, Command Control system, air conditioning system, capacitor block, and cables delivering the energy to a load.CBM's parameters are: total rated capacitance 3000 µF, charge voltage up to 24 kV, peak current amplitude 240 kA, peak stored energy 864 kJ, pulse width at 10 % of peak power 360 µs, dimensions 2.3х1.5х2.5 m 3 , weight ~ 2500 kg. In nominal regime (24 kV, 40 m cables), the energy delivered to the flash lamps in each channel is 74 kJ (86 % efficiency). No failures were observed in more than 1000 test shots and all the CBM parameters are well within the requirements. Detailed description of the CBM design and test results are given in the report.