Rotating Water-Jet-Cooled Target for Compact Neutron Source

Compact neutron sources, including those based on bombardment of beryllium by a proton beam (e.g., DARIA project), assume using of targets with high thermal loading (~10 kW). To dissipate this heating power, we previously developed a concept of a rotating water-cooled target. Each proton pulse hit a new beryllium plate allowing distributing heating power over a large area and achieving good heat removal from the system. However, the cooling was not ideal: high water flow was required, leading to significant pressures near beryllium segments and creating a threat of their destruction during the operation of the device. Here, we consider a new and more efficient concept of water cooling suggesting that water flows normally to the cooled surfaces (jet cooling). Thermodynamic numerical simulations allowed us to estimate the maximum temperature of targets and water pressure near beryllium segments depending on the cooling water flow. We showed a significant improvement of all parameters of the device compared to the old concept of target assembly.