The study of the plasma jets of lead and silver simulating spent nuclear fuel components

One of the tasks that must be solved to develop a spent nuclear fuel (SNF) plasma separation method is a creation of plasma source of substances simulating SNF components. Plasma of the diffuse arc discharge in a magnetic field with an incandescent cathode was considered in this paper, as such source. The discharge was initiated in a model substances vapor (lead and silver). Evaporation was carried out by crucible induction heating. Current– voltage characteristics of the discharge were obtained. Spectral analysis of the plasma jets radiation and double probe characteristics measurements in the area behind the anode were carried out. The minimum potential difference between the anode and cathode reached a value of about 7 V at current of about 1 A. When the potential difference in the discharge gap was close to 30 V (4.5 A) and 10 V (5.2 A) electron temperature in the plasma jet was 5–7 eV and 1–3 eV, respectively. Plasma density in jets took the value from 10¹¹ cm⁻³ to 10¹² cm⁻³. The obtained results indicate the possibility of using this type of discharge for the SNF plasma separation method approbation. (paper)