Shot 3 Post-Shot Report: Fault Analysis of MK-X Data [Slides]
This presentation constitutes a post-shot report for the MK-X performance on Shot 3 (13 July 2022). It focuses primarily on the analysis of electrical faults which have been a persistent issue in MK-X performance and were a significant focus of the test. The MK-X is a helical flux compression generator (HFCG) that has been manufactured in a novel and very cost-effective way. Shot 3 was the fourth test in a series which began with a low initial-current-level HFCG test coupled to a dummy load (Shot 0) and then a high stress test (Shot 1) coupled to a primitive pulse forming network (PFN). Shot 0 performed close to expectation but Shot 1 had early time losses that could not be explained. As a result, Shots 2 and 3 had dual goals. Each shot looked at MK-X performance relative to the early time losses, and since the amount of current generated on the first two tests was a useful amount, we coupled to a fast R43S Ranchero flux compression generator for Shot 2 to ascertain Ranchero’s performance with higher-than-ever initial current and another PFN load. Then Shot 3 implemented a specific change to the MK-X and coupled to only a low inductance PFN load. The report shows that Shots 1-3 all have qualitatively similar losses and the change made for Shot 3 to explore losses led to even further losses. However, the PFN on shot 3 was low inductance and in spite of the losses, 32 MA was generated. This report discusses the losses seen specifically on Shot 3 and compares the electrical and camera data along with a careful comparison to 3 D MHD modeling.