Toward Sustainable EMP Simulators: A Proof of Concept for an Environmentally Friendly MV Marx Generator

This article sets out experimental results of a Marx generator intended for a 2.2 megavolt (MV) electromagnetic pulse (EMP) simulator minimizing SF6emissions. These results build on previous effort concerning the global design and numerical simulations of the Marx generator. The proposed design allows for direct driving of a peaking stage without the need for an intermediate pulse compression stage, which is present in the current pulse generator design. The results indicate that this simplified architecture can achieve performances comparable to those of the existing generator. Furthermore, the new design significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, owing to its compact configuration and for operation up to 70% of its maximum voltage, to the use of dry air insulation in place of SF6. This article presents the development and testing of a five-stage Marx generator prototype (1:3 scale of the 2.2 MV generator), designed to validate the results obtained from our simulation model. Embedded sensors are employed to measure and compared to our simulation’s key parameters of the Marx, including inductance, breakdown delays and dynamic resistance of the spark gaps. Experiments are conducted using both dry air and SF6insulation to assess and compare the performances and behavior of the generator under each gas. The experimental data obtained are subsequently used to refine the design criteria for a new 2.2 MV pulse generator.