Generation of a Rotating Liquid Liner by Tangential Injection.
Abstract
Efficient compression of low mass-density payloads by the implosion of higher mass-density liquid cylinders or liners, as in the NRL LINUS concept for controlled thermonuclear fusion, requires rotation of the liner material to avoid Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities at the liner-payload interface. Experimentally, such implosions have been demonstrated with liners formed within rotating implosion chambers. The present work uses a scale-model experimental apparatus to investigate the possibility of creating liner rotation by tangential injection of the liquid liner material. Different modes of behavior are obtained depending on the fluid exhaust procedures. Right-circular, cylindrical free surfaces are achieved with axial exhaust of fluid at radii interior to the injection nozzles, for which the liner exhibits a combination of solid-body and free vortex flows in different regions. Measurements allow estimates of power losses to viscous shear, turbulence, etc. A simple model based on open-channel flow is then derived, which is in good agreement with experiment, and is used to extrapolate results to the scale of a possible LINUS fusion reactor. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA070890
Entities
People
- D. J. Jenkins
- J. Cameron
- P. J. Turchi
- R. E. Lanham
- R. L. Burton
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory