Toroidal Field Ripple reduction studies for ITER and FAST

Two different approaches to control the Toroidal Field Ripple (TFR) amplitude in ITER and FAST devices are presented in this paper. The approach currently adopted to reduce the TFR in ITER is based on the installation of ferromagnetic inserts between the vacuum vessel shells. The same approach has been analyzed in the design of the Fusion Advanced Studies Torus (FAST) proposal. Details of the system's layout are given. A new approach based on the insertion of active coils between the outer legs of the Toroidal Field Coils (TFCs) and the plasma, has been extensively investigated for these two machines. This active system would allow reducing the TFR to values even smaller than with the ferromagnetic inserts. The case of a localized disturb like that introduced by a Test Blanket Module (TBM) for ITER is presented where only well localized active coils can produce a significant ripple reduction.     

Effect of an additional ferromagnetic material on the toroidal magnetic field ripple in the ITER

In the ITER tokamak, the toroidal magnetic field (TF) ripple is estimated with TF coils only, with the installation of ferromagnetic inserts (FIs), and with test blanket modules (TBMs) by using a 2-D code for easy and fast calculation. We assessed the effects of the thickness of the FIs on the TF ripple in order to optimize the FI. And we analyzed how the TBMs distort the TF, and calculated the TF ripple for various amounts of a ferromagnetic material and the positions of the TBMs. Even in the case of moving the TBMs outward up to 60-cm, and reducing the ferromagnetic material to 52%, the TF ripple is not decreased below 0.38%. So we had to adopt ripple correction coils. With a 52% reduced amount of the ferromagnetic material in a TBM, we could reduce the TF ripple to 0.28% at a coil current of 100 kA turn per each coil. And with an outward recess of the TBM up to 60 cm, we could reduce the TF ripple to 0.23% at a coil current of 250 kA turn per each coil. As a combined approach, if we reduce the amount of a ferromagnetic material in a TBM to 30%, and recess the TBM to 15 cm, we can efficiently obtain the TF ripple of 0.25% at a coil current of 150 kA turn per each coil.     

Ripple effect and impact of test blanket module by using RAFM steels on the plasma of ITER

The losses of high-energy particles from the plasma depend on the toroidal field (TF) ripple in Tokomak machine. TBM (test blanket module), using RAFM (reduced activation ferritic/martensitic) steels as structure material, impacts on TF ripple in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The aim in this paper was to investigate the impact of TBM on TF ripple in ITER. It was analyzed based on ANSYS code and the Chinese DFLL (Dual Function Lithium Lead)-TBM as instances of analysis. The results indicated the TF ripple was still beyond the acceptable level of ITER (δ_TF < 0.3%) while considering several kinds of configurations (different masses, different dimensions, and different distances to plasma) of the DFLL-TBM. The correction coil might be one way to further reduce the effect on ripple of TF, and the ferromagnetic inserts under TF coil need to continue optimized.     

Non-axisymmetric magnetic field due to ferromagnetic inserts and helium cooled solid breeder test blanket modules in ITER

An analysis is carried out on the three-dimensional modeling and computation of the magnetic field in ITER. The commercial finite element code ANSYS-EM is employed for this study. In particular, an emphasis is put on the analysis of the characteristics of non-axisymmetric magnetic fields produced by ferromagnetic materials, including ferromagnetic inserts (FIs) and helium cooled solid breeder test blanket modules (TBMs). It is found that the ITER design requirement for toroidal field ripple is violated by the presence of TBMs, even in the presence of FIs. Calculations of TBM-produced error fields also show that TBM produces a significant error field at q = 2 surface exceeding the ITER design requirement. Discussions are made of the potential implication of the TBM-produced non-axisymmetric fields on plasma performance and the design of a TBM emulation system.     

Effects of ferromagnetic components on energetic ion confinement in ITER

By using a fully three dimensional magnetic field orbit-following Monte-Carlo code, the energetic ion confinement was investigated for the current conceptual design of the ferromagnetic components in ITER which will be employed for reducing the toroidal magnetic field (TF) ripple. The ferromagnetic insert is effective in the reference standard scenario with Q = 10 (Scenario No. 2) and steady state scenario with Q = 5 (Scenario No. 4) to improve the energetic ion confinement. Over-compensation appears at half of the full toroidal magnetic field and its effect becomes stronger when the quantity of the ferromagnetic insert is increased in order to more reduce the TF ripple at the full toroidal magnetic field. Though the current design is acceptable, whether to increase the ferromagnetic insert to achieve lower TF ripple amplitude at the full field operation depends on how prospected are possibilities of lower field operations. Planned test blanket modules do not induce large loss (<1%) at the full field in Scenario No. 4. At the half field, however, the loss reaches ∼10% for the alpha particles due to localized large TF ripple.     

Analysis of ripple and error field due to using the ferritic steel insert in EAST

Chinese Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) is ITER-like Superconducting (SC) Tokamak with divertor configuration. However, EAST device has 16 toroidal field coils (TFCs) whose ripple amplitude is 0.67% higher than 0.3% of acceptable level of ITER at separatrix point. In order to improve the plasma control and confinement and have more contribution to ITER Physics, it is expected to reduce the TF ripple to ITER acceptable level. In this contribution, it was preliminarily investigated for installation of the appropriate ferristic steel insert inside EAST vacuum vessel to reducing the ripple based on electromagnetic analyses. Results indicated the ripple amplitude could be achieved to the expected level of less than 0.3%. Simultaneously, the error fields introduced due to installation of the ferristic steel insert was analyzed and not beyond scope of physics requirement.     

Present Status of JT-60SA Project and Development of Heating Systems for JT-60SA

Present status of the JT-60SA (JT-60 Super Advanced) project, implemented jointly by Europe and Japan since 2007, is described. The design of the main tokamak components was completed in late 2008, and all the scientific missions are preserved to contribute to ITER and DEMO reactors. The construction of the JT-60SA has begun with procurement activities for the superconducting magnet systems, vacuum vessel, in-vessel components and other components under the relevant procurement arrangements between the implementing agencies of JAEA (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) in Japan and Fusion for Energy in Europe. Designs and developments of the auxiliary heating systems for JT-60SA have been progressing at JAEA so as to provide the total injection power of 41 MW for 100 s.     

A coil test facility for the cryogenic tests of the JT-60SA TF coils

In the framework of the Broader Approach Activities, the EU will deliver to Japan the 18 superconducting coils, which constitute the JT-60SA Toroidal field magnet. These 18 coils, manufactured by France and Italy, will be cold tested before shipping to Japan. For this purpose, the European Joint Undertaking for ITER, the Development of Fusion Energy (“Fusion for Energy”, F4E) and the European Voluntary Contributors are collaborating to design and set-up a coil test facility (CTF) and to perform the acceptance test of the 18 JT-60SA Toroidal Field (TF) coils. The test facility is designed to test one coil at a time at nominal current and cryogenic temperature. The test of the first coil of each manufacturer includes a quench triggered by increasing the temperature.The project is presently in the detailed design phase.     

On a scenario assessment tool for the operation of the JT-60SA superconducting tokamak

JT-60SA is a superconducting tokamak to be assembled and operated at the JAEA laboratories in Naka (Japan). The tokamak is designed, manufactured and operated under the funding of the Broader Approach Agreement (between the government of Japan and the European Commission) and of the Japan Fusion National Programme; JT-60SA aims to prepare, support and complement the ITER experimental programme. The European contribution to the JT-60SA is, for a large fraction, procured by France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Belgium.This paper summarizes the activities carried out at F4E to develop a user-friendly software tool able to assess in real-time if an operational scenario could be structurally withstood by the magnet system of JT-60SA. Such tool is based on a theoretical formulation which is supported by a series of dedicated finite element method (FEM) calculations, and is able to provide a comparative assessment of any candidate scenario with respect to the baseline scenarios, and a quantitative assessment of all electro magnetic (EM) forces acting on the magnet system at any time during the candidate scenario. The tool as it is presented is specifically designed to be used for the JT-60SA tokamak, though it is designed so to that its usage could be extended easily to any other tokamak.     

Manufacturing of JT-60SA Cryostat Base

JT-60SA is a superconducting tokamak to be assembled and operated at the JAEA laboratories in Naka (Japan) [1]. The tokamak has been designed to prepare, support and complement the ITER experimental programme and will be manufactured and operated under the funding of the Broader Approach Agreement (between the government of Japan and the European Commission) and of the Japan Fusion National Programme. Within the European contribution to JT-60SA, Spain has to provide the cryostat. Due to functional purposes, the cryostat has been divided in two large assemblies: the Cryostat Base (CB) and the Cryostat Vessel Body the latter subdivided into Cryostat Vessel Body Cylindrical Section (CVBCS) and the Top Lid. Spain is committed to provide the design and subsequent manufacturing of the CB and CVBCS (excluding the Top Lid) through the National Laboratory of Fusion at Ciemat. The design of both components has been concluded and the CB is currently being manufactured by a Spanish company, IDESA. This paper aims to present the status of the manufacturing and pre-assembly at the factory of the CB that has to be delivered in November 2012.     

An Analysis of Ripple and Error Fields Induced by a Blanket in the CFETR

The Chinese Fusion Engineering Tokamak Reactor(CFETR) is an important intermediate device between ITER and DEMO. The Water Cooled Ceramic Breeder(WCCB)blanket whose structural material is mainly made of Reduced Activation Ferritic/Martensitic(RAFM) steel, is one of the candidate conceptual blanket design. An analysis of ripple and error field induced by RAFM steel in WCCB is evaluated with the method of static magnetic analysis in the ANSYS code. Significant additional magnetic field is produced by blanket and it leads to an increased ripple field. Maximum ripple along the separatrix line reaches 0.53% which is higher than 0.5% of the acceptable design value. Simultaneously, one blanket module is taken out for heating purpose and the resulting error field is calculated to be seriously against the requirement.     

Design and manufacturing of JT-60SA vacuum vessel

JT-60 is planned to be upgraded to JT-60SA tokamak machine with fully superconducting coils, which is a project of the JA-EU satellite tokamak program under both Broader Approach program and Japanese domestic program. The JT-60SA vacuum vessel (VV) has a D-shape poloidal cross section and a toroidal configuration with 10° facet segmented in toroidal direction. The material of the VV is 316L stainless steel with low cobalt content of <0.05 wt%. A double wall structure is adopted for the VV to ensure high rigidity and high toroidal one-turn resistance simultaneously.Fundamental welding R&D and a trial manufacturing of the 20° upper half of the VV have been performed to study the manufacturing procedure. After the confirmation of the quality of the mock-up, manufacturing of the actual VV started in November 2009.     

Overview of engineering design,manufacturing and assembly of JT-60SA machine

The JT-60SA experiment is one of the three projects to be undertaken in Japan as part of the Broader Approach Agreement, conducted jointly by Europe and Japan, and complementing the construction of ITER in Europe. The JT-60SA device is a fully superconducting tokamak capable of confining break-even equivalent deuterium plasmas with equilibria covering high plasma shaping with a low aspect ratio at a maximum plasma current of I_p = 5.5 MA. This makes JT-60SA capable to support and complement ITER in all the major areas of fusion plasma development necessary to decide DEMO reactor construction. After a complex start-up phase due to the necessity to carry out a re-baselining effort with the purpose to fit in the original budget while aiming to retain the machine mission, performance, and experimental flexibility, in 2009 detailed design could start. With the majority of time-critical industrial contracts in place, in 2012, it was possible to establish a credible time plan, and now, the project is progressing on schedule towards the first plasma in March 2019. After careful and focused R&D and qualification tests, the procurement of the major components and plant is now well advanced in manufacturing design and/or fabrication. In the meantime the disassembly of the JT-60U machine has been completed and the engineering of the JT-60SA assembly process has been developed. The actual assembly of JT-60SA started in January 2013 with the installation of the cryostat base. The paper gives an overview of the present status of the engineering design, manufacturing and assembly of the JT-60SA machine.     

Application of GEMSAFE to ITER CDA and Its comparison with FER

A safety analysis for the design of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in the Conceptual Design Activity stage was performed by the GEMSAFE methodology, and its results were compared with those of Fusion Experimental Reactor (FER), a Japan's facility planned next to JT-60. The objectives of this study are to confirm the applicability of GEMSAFE to ITER and to select design basis events of ITER and identify R&D items with comparison to FER. Function-Based Safety Analyses (FBSA) were carred out to select 19 and 25 design basis events for FER and ITER, respectively. The major reason for the difference is that ITER has a class-2 RI source, e.g., tritium of 7.5 × 10⁵ Ci in mobile form, in the coolant for the first wall and blankets as well as a class-3 RI source, e.g., the immobile tritium of 2.2×10⁷ Ci absorbed in first wall and dust.     

Preliminary analysis of compatibility with low activation martensitic steel blanket for the fusion experimental breeder: Impact of ferromagnetic behavior on plasma burning cycle

The reduced activation ferritic martensitic steels is considered a candidate for the first wall (FW) blanket structural material because of its safety environmental advantages [R.L. Klueh, D.S. Geiles, et al., Ferritic/martensitic steels overview of recent results, J. Nucl. Mater. 307-312 (2002) 455-465; T. Muroga, M. Gasparotto, S.J. Zinkle, Overview of materials research for fusion reactors, Fusion Eng. Des. 61-62 (2002) 3-25]. An engineering design analysis concerning the electromagnetic issues is performed. Preliminary analysis results show that design effort of the fusion reactor can cope with the effect of the ferromagnetic FW blanket on the electromagnetic forces, which increases by 28-38% during a major plasma disruption and overcome the influence of the poloidal field, which reduces by 10-20%, comparing with the austenitic steel blanket. Both the effect and influence depend on the saturation magnetic susceptibility and blanket configurations.     

Interaction of Ruthenium Tetroxide with Stainless Steel

Research and development (R&;D) on the selection of molybdenum first wall during FY1975–1976 are described. The JT-60 machine parameters are plasma current of 2.7 MA, toroidal magnetic field of 4.5 T, duration time of 5 to 10 s and additional heating power of 20 to 30 MW. From the viewpoint of first wall design, these parameters are more stringent in JT-60 than in medium size tokamaks. Therefore, R&;D on selection of material and structure of the JT-60 first wall was carried out. Initially, comparison between candidate materials were made regarding material, thermal, mechanical and vacuum properties. Molybdenum, pyrolytic graphite (PyG) and CVD-Sic coated graphite (SiC/C) were primary candidate materials. Of these three materials, full-sized trial productions of the first wall were made. High heat load tests with electron beam were carried out to compare thermal shock and thermal cycle properties. Test conditions were heat fluxes of 350 to 1,000 W/cm², duration of 10 s and cycle numbers from 10 to 320. From the test results, many cracks and “crater-like” damage were observed on the surfaces of PyG and SiC/C, but no damage was observed on the Mo surface. Following evaluation of all properties including these results, Mo was selected as primary first wall material for JT-60. Moreover, a trial production of Mo honeycomb structure was done. However, the honeycomb structure was not applied because of the expensive fabrication cost. After the operation of JT-60, the first wall materials (limiter, armor plates and magnetic limiter plate) were changed to graphite in FY1987 in order to reduce severe plasma contamination.     

Results and Future Plan of JT-60U towards Steady-State Tokamak Reactor

Recent results of JT-60U towards establishment of physics basis for ITER and advanced tokamak operation are presented.Progress in high integrated performance is achieved with improvement of N-NB and ECRF heating systems.In the next experimental campaign 2003-2004,discharge duration with 17 MW heating will be extended up to 30s for sustaining high-beta plasma longer than the current diffusion time.Superconducting modification of JT-60 is planned to demonstrate high-beta plasma sustainment exceeding ideal MHD instability limit without wall stabilization.     

Broader Approach to fusion energy

The Broader Approach activities aim at complementing the ITER project and at an acceleration of fusion energy in the framework of collaboration between Japan and EURATOM. Three research projects are to be undertaken: (1) Satellite Tokamak Programme, (2) Engineering Validation and Engineering Design Activities for the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF/EVEDA), and (3) International Fusion Energy Research Centre (IFERC). While the Satellite Tokamak Programme is to be conducted at the site of the existing JT-60 tokamak, the other two projects are to be undertaken at a new research site in Rokkasho, Japan.     

Recent contribution of JET to the ITER physics

In recent years the JET scientific programme has focussed on addressing physics issues essential for the consolidation of design choices and the efficient exploitation of ITER in parallel to qualifying ITER operating scenarios and developing advanced control tools. This paper reports on recent achievements in the following areas: mitigation of edge localised modes (ELMs), effects of toroidal field (TF) ripple, advanced tokamak scenarios, material migration and fuel retention. Active methods have been developed to mitigate ELMs without adversely affecting confinement. A systematic characterisation of the edge plasma, pedestal energy and ELMs, and their impact on plasma-facing components as well as their compatibility with material limits has been performed. The unique JET capability of varying the TF ripple from its normal low value δB_T = 0.08% up to δB_T = 1% has been used to elucidate the role of TF ripple on confinement and ELMs. Increased TF ripple in ELMy H-mode plasmas is found to have a detrimental effect on plasma stored energy and density, especially at low collisionality. The development of ITER advanced tokamak scenarios has been pursued. In particular, β_N values above the ‘no-wall limit’ (β_N ～ 3.0) have been sustained for a resistive time. Gas balance studies combined with shot-resolved measurements from deposition monitors and divertor spectroscopy have confirmed the strong role of fuel co-deposition with carbon in the retention mechanism through long-range migration and also provided further evidence for the important role of ELMs in the material migration process within the JET inner divertor leg.