Novel test-bed facility for PSI issues in fusion reactor conditions on the base of next generation QSPA plasma accelerator

Abstract

In this report concept of new generation QSPA with external B-field up to 2 T has been discussed and novel test-bed facility, which recently constructed in Kharkov IPP NSC KIPT, has been described. It allows new level of plasma stream parameters and its wide variation in new QSPA-M device, as well as possible combination of steady state and pulsed plasma loads to the materials during the exposures. First plasma is recently obtained. Careful optimization of the operational regimes of the plasma accelerator's functional components and plasma dynamics in the magnetic system of QSPA-M device has been started approaching step by step the necessary level of plasma parameters and their effective variation. The relevant results on plasma stream characterization are presented. Energy density distributions in plasma stream have been measured with calorimetry. Spectroscopy and probe technique have been also applied for plasma parameters measurements. The obtained results demonstrate ability of QSPA-M to reproduce the ELM impacts in fusion reactor both in term of heat load and particle flux to the surface.

Parameters of Hydrogen Plasma Streams in Qspa-M and Their Dependence on External Magnetic Field

“…Integral gas supply of QSPA discharge was about 530 cm 3 H 2 at atmosphere pressure. The detailed description of facility and first experimental results are given in [7,8].…”

“…The QSPA-M plasma accelerator, as compare with other available QSPA devices, is equipped with magnetic coils creating the external longitudinal B-field up to 1T. Ability of QSPA-M to operate with additional external strong external magnetic field allows simulation of the divertor plasma flows along the Bfield linesduring the transient events in ITER and DEMO reactors and predictive testing of candidate materials under powerful plasma exposures [7][8][9].…”

Study of MHD dynamo effect at the outlet from plasma accelerator in the presence of longitudinal magnetic field

“…Studies of the effect of the MHD dynamo can be complemented to a certain extent by this work in which high‐velocity plasma flows are considered in the quasi‐stationary plasma accelerator (QSPA) in the presence of an additional longitudinal magnetic field. The electric current flowing along the internal electrode generates an azimuthal magnetic field, which is main one in traditional plasma accelerators . Plasma accelerators are of interest for thermonuclear research, technological applications, and as perspective powerful electro‐reactive plasma engines.…”

Compressible plasma flows in the QSPA in the presence of strong longitudinal magnetic field

“…Изучение динамики высокоскоростных потоков достаточно плотной плазмы в квазистационарных плазменных ускорителях (КСПУ) представляет теоретический и практический интерес с учетом различных приложений данных многофункциональных установок [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], включая термоядерные исследования. Плазменные ускорители могут также стать основой для разработки мощных электрореактивных плазменных двигателей, являясь системами проточного типа, на входе которых непрерывно подается газ.…”

“…Напряженность поля в такой системе катушек с током мало отличается в различных точках. Экспериментальные исследования КСПУ с продольным магнитным полем продолжаются в различных научных центрах (см., например, [11]).…”