Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme

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SYPP: Symposium Actual trends in pulsed power technology

SYPP 2: Pulsed Power II: Anwendungen

SYPP 2.3: Invited Talk

Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 15:00–15:30, V57.03

Pulsed Power Applications at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology — •Georg Mueller — Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology (IHM),76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany

In this paper we review the progress that has been achieved at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) for several industrial scale projects and in basic investigations based on intense particle beams and pulsed power technologies. Using intense large area pulsed electron beams thin layers at the surface of materials can be heated adiabatically above the melting point and through rapid cooling restructure or alloy the surface to improve corrosion or wear resistance properties. This technique was applied to solve the corrosion problems of future heavy liquid metal (Pb, PbBi) cooled nuclear power plants. Substantial progress has also been made in the development and optimisation of electrodynamic fragmentation facilities. Using adequate high current switch electrode materials, low loss capacitors and optimised component arrangements for minimum energy loss, service intervals of the high repetition rate pulse generators used in such facilities could be extended to beyond one year. Electrodynamic fragmentation facilities are now marketed by our Swiss industry partner, in particular in the fields of mineral exploration and processing. Pulsed electric fields of microsecond duration with electric field strengths of few to tenth of kV/cm can induce pores in the membrane of biological cells. This effect is used to extract foodstuff from plant cells, to accelerate the drying of biomass for energetic use or to reduce bacterial contamination in waste water.