Evaluation of an Electrostatic Dust Removal System with Potential Application in Next-Step Fusion Devices
Authors: F.Q.L. Friesen, B. John, C.H. Skinner, A.L. Roquemore and C.I. Calle
Abstract:
The ability to manage inventories of carbon, tritium, and high-Z elements in fusion plasmas
depends on means for effective dust removal. A dust conveyor, based on a moving electrostatic
potential well, was tested with particles of tungsten, carbon, glass and sand. A digital microscope
imaged a representative portion of the conveyor, and dust particle size and volume distributions
were derived before and after operation. About 10 mm3 volume of carbon and tungsten particles
were moved in under 5 seconds. The highest driving amplitude tested of 3 kV was the most
effective. The optimal driving frequency was 210 Hz (maximum tested) for tungsten particles,
decreasing to below 60 Hz for the larger sand particles. Measurements of particle size and
volume distributions after 10 and 100 cycles show the breaking apart of agglomerated carbon,
and the change in particle distribution over short timescales (<1 s).
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Published in: Review of Scientific Instruments 82, 053502 (2011);
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3587619
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