학술논문

Transient Computational and Experimental Thermal Analysis of Graphite Foam Monoblock
Document Type
Periodical
Source
IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on. 48(6):1519-1524 Jun, 2020
Subject
Engineered Materials, Dielectrics and Plasmas
Fields, Waves and Electromagnetics
Temperature measurement
Graphite
Heating systems
Prototypes
Plasma temperature
Electron tubes
Steady-state
Fusion reactors
graphite foam high heat flux components
high temperature material
plasma-facing material
toroidal fusion devices
transient heat transfer
Language
ISSN
0093-3813
1939-9375
Abstract
A densified graphite foam is being explored for its applicability as plasma-facing material in fusion devices. Three different graphite foam monoblocks are constructed and tested in the Garching Large Divertor Sample Testing Facility. The monoblock samples consist of graphite foam press-fit to a single tube, graphite foam cubes brazed to a single, and graphite foam cubes press-fit to a single tube. The tube is composed of CuCrZr with a steel twisted tape. The monoblocks are exposed to the heat fluxes of 5, 6, and 8 MW/m 2 for 30 s to determine the maximum surface and body temperatures measured with thermocouple for each monoblock design. The press-fit monoblocks are exposed to 8 MW/m 2 for 15 s for 100 cycles to determine the effect of thermal cycling on the contact between the graphite foam and the tube. STAR-CCM+ is used to predict how much the contact between the foam and tubes varies as a result of thermal cycling. In addition, the 6 MW/m 2 loading is modeled in STAR-CCM+ to compare the transient cooldown curves of the computational results to the recorded temperatures at the surface and two different thermocouple locations. This comparison is used to validate the temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity used in the models of the graphite foam. The computational modeling of the experiment has been used to hypothesize ways to use and improve upon the graphite foam as a suitable material for fusion applications.