Assessment of a Particle Bed Based Beam Stop

Accelerator target/beam stop concepts able to withstand the thermal shock induced by intense, undiluted beams are being assessed in this study. Such conditions normally push target materials beyond their limits leading to limited useful life. A number of ingenious options have been attempted to help reduce the level of stress generated. Attention is paid to a very promising option that calls for a target consisting of a cooled particle bed. In such configuration the ability of the particle bed structure to diffuse and attenuate the generated thermal shock waves is being explored by perfonning comprehensive dynamic analyses that incorporate anticipated energy depositions, thermal diffusion, and wave propagation and attenuation. Further, options of coolant liquid filling the porous structure of the particle bed, including concerns of pressure drop and heat transfer, are evaluated for maximizing particle yield.