Experimental Investigation of a Shock-Accelerated Liquid Layer with Imaging and Pressure Measurement

Overview of fusion nuclear technology in the US

“…In Z-pinch IFE there are essentially three configurations of protection that need to be addressed: a conical top plug containing flibe shields the top, flowing liquid layers protecting the side walls, and a two-phase (bubbling) pool at the bottom of the chamber. Studies concerning the flowing liquid layers in shock tube experiments verified that several layers separated with a void significantly reduce the wall loading [32], and there may exist an optimum void-space-toliquid-thickness ratio to minimize the impulse force and reduce the liquid sheet break-up. Work is ongoing to study and model the shock attenuation and energy absorption in solid foam layers and in two-phase pools for the upper and lower protection schemes proposed in Z-pinch reactor designs.…”

IFE Thick Liquid Wall Chamber Dynamics: Governing Mechanisms and Modeling and Experimental Capabilities

“…so as to have parallel walls to perform flow visualization anywhere along the tube~e.g., Ref. 60!. The facility's structural capability allows for the production of Mach-5 shock waves in air at atmospheric pressure.…”