Gas target coupled density/proton heat load iterative CFD analysis for a Xe124 production target

Abstract

A methodology was developed to iteratively solve the steady state CFD solution for temperature, density, pressure, natural convection currents, and density profiles within a Xe124 target at 1.013MPa. This method's first iteration assumed a constant density of the target material. A Gaussian beam was assumed. With the constant density dE/dX heat loads applied, the CFD code solved for the above physical parameters. The nodal densities were extracted and the new dE/dX values were then re-inserted into the target CFD mesh. This iterative process converged within five iterations, producing a coupled density/heat load solution for a variable density gas target. This method has been verified by comparing the experimental induced light emissions from a 200kPa N2 gas target with this methodology's steady state CFD predictions [1].This methodology may assist in gas target design.