Fluidised powder target research

1. Fluidised powder target research A potential target technology for both a Superbeam and a neutrino factory CJ Densham, O Caretta, P Loveridge STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

2. Is there a ‘missing link’ target technology? Some potential advantages of a flowing powder: Resistant to pulsed beam induced shock waves Favourable heat transfer Quasi-liquid Few moving parts Mature technology Areas of concern can be tested off-line LIQUIDS SOLIDS Contained liquids Open jets Flowing powder Monolithic Segmented

3. Schematic layouts of flowing powder targets for neutrino facilities Neutrino factory target - open jet configuration used in test rig on day 1 (for MERIT comparison) Superbeam target - contained within pipe (1) pressurised powder hopper, (2) discharge nozzle, (3) recirculating helium to form coaxial flow around jet, (4) proton beam entry window, (5) open jet interaction region, (6) receiver, (7) pion capture solenoid, (8) beam exit window, (9) powder exit for recirculation, (10) return line for powder to hopper, (11) driver gas line

4. Summary of Operation Powder Rig contains 100 kg Tungsten Particle size < 250 microns Total ~8,000 kg powder conveyed 90 ejection cycles Equivalent to 15 mins continuous operation Batch mode Test out individual handling processes before moving to a continuous flow loop

5. Summary of Operation Powder Rig contains 100 kg Tungsten Particle size < 250 microns Total ~8,000 kg powder conveyed 90 ejection cycles Equivalent to 15 mins continuous operation Batch mode Test out individual handling processes before moving to a continuous flow loop 1 1. Suction / Lift

6. Summary of Operation Powder Rig contains 100 kg Tungsten Particle size < 250 microns Total ~8,000 kg powder conveyed 90 ejection cycles Equivalent to 15 mins continuous operation Batch mode Test out individual handling processes before moving to a continuous flow loop 2 1 1. Suction / Lift 2. Load Hopper

7. Summary of Operation Powder Rig contains 100 kg Tungsten Particle size < 250 microns Total ~8,000 kg powder conveyed 90 ejection cycles Equivalent to 15 mins continuous operation Batch mode Test out individual handling processes before moving to a continuous flow loop 2 1 3 1. Suction / Lift 2. Load Hopper 3. Pressurise Hopper

8. Summary of Operation Powder Rig contains 100 kg Tungsten Particle size < 250 microns Total ~8,000 kg powder conveyed 90 ejection cycles Equivalent to 15 mins continuous operation Batch mode Test out individual handling processes before moving to a continuous flow loop 2 1 3 4 1. Suction / Lift 2. Load Hopper 3. Pressurise Hopper 4. Powder Ejection and Observation

9. Control Interface Fully automated control system Process control Data Logging @ 20 Hz Hard-wired safety interlocks Warning messages Experiment notes Emergency stop Suction settings System indicator window Ejection settings Control System Interface (MATLAB)

10. Post Processing • Automatic report generator • Records experiment settings • Graphs the data • Generates a Microsoft word document for each cycle Post-processing user interface - Matlab Two-page Report - Microsoft Word

11. Contained stable jet Contained unstable jet

12. Particle Image Velocimetryvelocity distribution required to determine bulk density Ottone Caretta, Oxford, Nov 09

13. Variations in the flow rate – typical 2bar ejection • How much material would a proton beam interact with? • Bulk density? • Is the amount of material in the nozzle (or jet) constant? Ottone Caretta, Oxford, Nov 09

14. Optimise gas lift system for CW operation Carry out long term erosion tests and study mitigation Investigate low-flow limit Study heat transfer between pipe wall and powder Demonstrate shock waves are not a problem Use of CERN test facility for shock wave experiment on a powder sample in helium environment Demonstrate magnetic fields/eddy currents are not a problem Use of high field solenoid? Investigate active powder handling issues (cf mercury?) Flowing powder target: next stages