Technical progress in industrial COIL

Abstract

Chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL) has a great potential for applications such as decommissioning and dismantlement (D&D) of nuclear reactor, rock destruction and removal and extraction of a natural resource (Methane hydrate) because of the unique characteristics such as power scalability, high optical beam quality and optical fiber beam. Five-kilowatt Chemical oxygen-iodine laser (COIL) test facility has been developed. The chemical efficiency of 27% has been demonstrated with a moderate beam quality for optical fiber coupling. Our research program contains conventional/ejector-COIL scheme, Jet-SOG/Mist-SOG optimization, fiber delivery and long-term operation.

Ejector Chemical Oxygen–Iodine Laser with Supersonic Nozzle Bank Based on a Trip-Jet Mixing System

“…The pressure of the SOG was approximately 20 Torr. In contrast with the conventional COIL, 9,10) there was no diluent flow in the SOG. The yield of singlet oxygen was approximately 50% for the detachment yield of 70%.…”

“…The yield of singlet oxygen was approximately 50% for the detachment yield of 70%. 11) The singlet oxygen yield is lower than that of the conventional COIL, 9,10) which was approximately 60%. Lasing was achieved using a 4% outcoupling mirror (M 1 ) and a concave mirror (M 2 ) with a radius of curvature of 5 m. An average laser power of 3.0 kW was observed with a chemical efficiency of 18% in continuous operation mode.…”

“…3) The recovered pressure of 80 Torr corresponds to the diffuser efficiency of approximately 70%, which is higher than in the case of conventional COIL (30 -40%). 9,10) There is an empirical formula of diffuser efficiency as a function of Reynolds number: D % 0:00272Re 1=2 . 11) The Reynolds number of the ejector COIL ($10 5 ) is much higher than that of the conventional lowpressure COIL ($10 4 ) because the mass flow rate per unit cross section of the ejector COIL is higher.…”

COIL--Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser: advances in development and applications

“…44 The given characteristics of the COIL make this laser ideal for special industrial and military applications. [45][46][47][48] The third decade of COIL investigations and development provides a good base for these applications, and well-developed projects already exist. The COIL has a potential for applications such as decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear reactors.…”