Towards a precession driven dynamo experiment

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of a precession-driven dynamo experiment at DRESDYN, covering scientific background, water tests, numerical predictions, structural challenges, construction progress, and future experiments.

Contribution

It presents the design and construction progress of a novel precession-driven dynamo experiment, including experimental and numerical insights, advancing the understanding of dynamo mechanisms.

Findings

Water pre-experiments support numerical models

Structural design addresses complex engineering challenges

Construction is progressing with planned future experiments

Abstract

The most ambitious project within the DREsden Sodium facility for DYNamo and thermohydraulic studies (DRESDYN) at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) is the set-up of a precession-driven dynamo experiment. After discussing the scientific background and some results of water pre-experiments and numerical predictions, we focus on the numerous structural and design problems of the machine. We also outline the progress of the building's construction, and the status of some other experiments that are planned in the framework of DRESDYN.