Integration of cryopump instrumentation for SST-1 NBI

Abstract

A positive ion neutral injector (PINI) capable in delivering 5MW (55kV, 90A) ion beam power is being operated for SST-1 neutral beam injection (NBI). The production and neutralization of the ion beams in the injector require a gas throughput of 20 torr I/s in the plasma box and 50–100 torr I/s in the neutralizer section. It is necessary to maintain operating pressure of vessel at 10−5 torr to reduce the re-ionization loss of beam within tolerable limits. Conventional Turbo molecular pumps cannot maintain this vacuum level at required gas feed rate so two cryo condensation pumps are being operated to achieve require vacuum in vessel. In order to monitor and optimize the performance of cryopumps, it is necessary to measure the temperature at various locations in LN2 and LHe path. It is also required to monitor the level of LHe and LN2 in cryopumps. Several temperature and level sensors are mounted at various places in cryopumps and integrated with PLC and SCADA based control system.