Thermal performance and flow instabilities in a multi-channel, helium-cooled, porous metal divertor module

Pressurized helium is under consideration for cooling Langmuir probes and plasma facing components of next generation fusion experiments. Helium is non-corrosive, does not activate, separated easily from tritium, vacuum compatible, and undergoes no phase transformations. Recently, the thermal perfor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fusion engineering and design 2000-11, Vol.49, p.407-415
Main Authors: Youchison, Dennis L, North, Mark T, Lindemuth, James E, McDonald, Jimmie M, Lutz, Thomas J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Controled nuclear fusion plants
Divertor
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Exact sciences and technology
Flow instabilities
Heat flux
Helium
Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy
Multi-channel
Phase transitions
Plasma facing components
Porous materials
Porous metal
Thermal performance
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Summary:Pressurized helium is under consideration for cooling Langmuir probes and plasma facing components of next generation fusion experiments. Helium is non-corrosive, does not activate, separated easily from tritium, vacuum compatible, and undergoes no phase transformations. Recently, the thermal performance of a bare-copper, dual-channel, helium-cooled, porous metal divertor mock-up, designed and fabricated by Thermacore Inc., was evaluated on Sandia's 30 kW Electron Beam Test System equipped with a closed helium flow loop. The module uses short circumferential flow paths to minimize pressure drops and pumping requirements while achieving optimal thermal performance by providing a very large effective surface area. The module was tested under both uniform and non-uniform heat loads to assess the effects of mass flow instabilities. It survived a maximum absorbed heat flux of 29.5 MW/m 2 on a 2-cm 2 area. Results on the power sharing between the two channels is presented and compared with that of a previous design. These experimental results coupled with appropriate modeling provide insight on flow instabilities in multi-channel, helium-cooled heat exchangers.
ISSN:0920-3796
1873-7196
DOI:10.1016/S0920-3796(00)00243-X