Experimental Characterization of an NEG Pump of Novel Size—A Major Step toward Its Application in DEMO Neutral Beam Injectors

Stefan Hanke (), Christian Day, Thomas Giegerich, Xueli Luo, Fabrizio Siviero, Michele Mura, Beatrice Busetto, Enrico Maccallini, Paolo Manini, Emanuele Sartori, Marco Siragusa and Piergiorgio Sonato
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Stefan Hanke: Institute for Technical Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Karlsruhe, Germany
Christian Day: Institute for Technical Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Karlsruhe, Germany
Thomas Giegerich: Institute for Technical Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Karlsruhe, Germany
Xueli Luo: Institute for Technical Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Karlsruhe, Germany
Fabrizio Siviero: SAES Getters SpA, 20045 Lainate, Italy
Michele Mura: SAES Getters SpA, 20045 Lainate, Italy
Beatrice Busetto: SAES Getters SpA, 20045 Lainate, Italy
Enrico Maccallini: SAES Getters SpA, 20045 Lainate, Italy
Paolo Manini: SAES Getters SpA, 20045 Lainate, Italy
Emanuele Sartori: Consorzio RFX, 35127 Padova, Italy
Marco Siragusa: Consorzio RFX, 35127 Padova, Italy
Piergiorgio Sonato: Consorzio RFX, 35127 Padova, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: A future nuclear fusion plant DEMO needs neutral beam injection (NBI) systems requiring a vacuum pumping system with a very high pumping speed, in the order of several 1000 m 3 /s. Large customized cryopumps are actually used to meet the requirements. A promising concept for future NBI systems is based on high capacity getter materials. The ZAO ® alloy, developed by SAES Getters, Italy, provides a drastically improved performance for the pumping of hydrogen compared to conventional getter materials. This paper describes the experimental characterization of a large pump of scalable size with 15 kg of ZAO ® and the achieved results, in particular the systematic investigation of sorption characteristics and regeneration behaviors. Major findings include a very good repeatability of the sorption performance, a reduced pumping speed at higher pressures only above the NBI relevant level, an improved performance (+20%) with elevated getter temperature and an isotope independent sticking coefficient for hydrogen. Furthermore, improved operation experience and regeneration prediction tools have been developed. Employing the experimental results, a simulation task was performed and the sticking factor of the getter cartridge was determined with 7%.

Keywords: NEG; vacuum pump; getter; fusion; NBI; TIMO (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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