Research plan for divertor simulation making use of a large tandem mirror device

We are planning to start a study of divertor simulation under the closely resemble to actual fusion plasma environment making use of the advantage of open magnetic field configuration and to contribute the solution for realizing the divertor in ITER as a future research plan of Plasma Research Center of the University of Tsukuba. In the research plan, the concepts of two divertor devices are introduced. One has an axi-symmetric divertor configuration with the separatrix which is similar to toroidal divertor of torus systems and the other is a high heat flux divertor simulator by using an end-mirror exit of the existing tandem mirror device. Development of magnetic field configuration for ensuring the MHD stability is under way and a designed example is investigated under the optimal condition for plasma production. Consideration of plasma heating scheme using Fokker-Planck simulation code was successfully performed at both axi-symmetric divertor and end-mirror regions. Preparative experiments using calorimeter, Mach probe and high-speed camera have been started at the end-mirror region and the heat flux density of the level in 1-10 MW m⁻² was achieved in standard hot-ion mode plasma-confining experiments, which gives a clear prospect of generating the required heat flux density for divertor studies.     

Analysis of Divertor Heat Flux with Infrared Thermography During Gas Fuelling in the HL-2A Tokamak

In HL-2A tokamaks, the behavior of heat flux deposited on the divertor targets has been studied during deuterium gas fuelling. The heat flux is reduced significantly after supersonic molecular beam injection （SMBI） fuelling during Ohmic and electron cyclotron resonance heating （ECRH） divertor discharges. The SMBI fuelling causes an increase in the plasma density and this change results in the experienced change of the edge properties. Most of this reduction in divertor target heat flux occurs together with a high plasma radiation region located at near the X-point. The largest reduction in heat flux profiles is observed at the outboard divertor separatrix strike point, while the heat flux far from the strike point remains almost unchanged. In particular, with SMBI multi-pulses gas fuelling, a partially detached divertor regime is observed with a highly radiating region at the X-point. With the onset of the partially detached divertor regime, a sudden drop in both heat flux and power flow on the divertor target is observed. The reduction in power load on the divertor targets is roughly equal to the increase in plasma radiation loss.     

Simulation of Low–High Transition by Neutral Beam Injection in Edge Plasma of Small Size Divertor Tokamak

This paper reports simulation of L–H transition by fluid transport code B2SOLPS0.5.2D at low ion plasma density on neutral beam injection (NBI) in the edge plasma of small size divertor tokamak. The simulation provides the following results: (1) the transition is possible at plasma density 2 × 10¹⁹ m^?3 with NBI at temperature heating T^heating 3.62 keV. (2) The simulation predicts the generation of large negative radial electric field E _r, which is thought to help L–H transition during NBI, is suggested in the edge plasma of small size divertor tokamak. (3) The toroidal current density in the edge plasma of small size divertor tokamak is plasma density and direction of NBI dependence. (4) Parallel flux transport by anomalous viscosity (turbulent) through separatrix leads to the variation of toroidal current density.     

Design and Related Experiments of JT-60 Divertor Coils

The JT-60 divertor coils produce a separatrix configuration in divertor operations of JT-60. A suitable separatrix configuration was obtained for a plasma current of 2.1 MA with coil ampere turns of ± 0.755 MAT. A high primary membrane stress of 52 MPa was permissible at the welded joints of the copper conductor made on the site. The mechanical strength of the joints welded in a factory was also improved by means of a press treatment. Electric insulation materials were selected considering a degradation of with stand voltage characteristics due to high cyclic mechanical strain. Vacuum-tight coil cases were composed of rigid rings and U-shaped bellows made of Inconel-625 alloy, and designed to withstand plasma disruption with a current decay time constant of 3 ms. The maximum temperature of the conductor in the periodic operation of divertor discharges was below 155°C which was the allowable temperature of the coil insulation. Molybdenum armor plates coated with titanium carbide and Inconel-625 bellows cover plates were attached against high heat flux from plasma. Thermal and mechanical load tests were carried out using component models to evaluate their performance in advance of the final fabrication of the actual coils. The satisfactory performance of the divertor coils were demonstrated in the pre-operational power test.     

Modeling of Heat Fluxes in Edge Plasma of Small Size Divertor Tokamak

The heat flows out from the tokamak core region are collected on the divertor plates and external wall. Control of heat flux exhaust in the SOL and divertor plates regions is one of the important issues in tokamak physics. There are important phenomena affecting heat flows were simulated. The simulation is based on the B2SOLPS5.0 2D multifluid code. It is demonstrated that, the following results: (1) The simulation shows that, the operation of small size divertor tokamak, the divertor plate with/without impurities influence on profiles of electron, ion temperatures, and heat loads significantly. (2) Under normal direction of parallel (toroidal) magnetic field and different values of edge plasma density, strong “SOL” heat flow exists directed towards the LFS (outer) plate. (3) The simulation results show that, the increasing of the plasma density strong influence on the ion and electron poloidal heat fluxes profile significantly. The ion and electron polodial heat flux increase by factor “~8” and “2.4” times. (4) The simulation results show that the in–out asymmetry of heat fluxes was reversed when switching on/off E × B drifts in the edge plasma of this tokamak. (5) The simulation results show correlation between the in–out asymmetry divertor heat fluxes and E × B drift velocity. (6) The observed heat loads asymmetry between HFS and LFS plates can be explained with the radial electric field in SOL. (7) Also the simulation results performed result in, the in–out asymmetry strong influence on the characteristic length of ion poloidal heat flux.     

Super X divertors for solving heat and neutron flux problems of fusion devices

We present a new magnetic geometry, called the Super X divertor (SXD), that could potentially solve the enormous heat exhaust problem of next-generation high power-density experiments and fusion reactors. With only small changes in net coil currents, the axisymmetric SXD modification of the standard divertor (SD) coils greatly increases the divertor radius, the line length, and the plasma-wetted area. The lower B at large R decreases parallel heat flux and hence lowers the plasma temperature at SXD plates to below 10 eV, allowing higher divertor radiation fractions. The SXD could safely exhaust five times more heat than an SD, is unique in allowing adequate shielding of divertor target from neutron damage, and can enable much improved, reactor-relevant core plasma performance.     

2-D temperature distribution and heat flux of PFC in 2011 KSTAR campaign

KSTAR has reached a plasma current up to 630 kA, plasma duration up to 12 s, and has achieved high confinement mode (H-mode) in 2011 campaign. The heat flux of PFC tile was estimated from the temperature increase of PFC since 2010. The heat flux of PFC tiles increases significantly with higher plasma current and longer pulse duration. The time-averaged heat flux of shots in 2010 campaign (with 3 s pulse durations and I_p of 611 kA) is 0.01 MW/m² while that in 2011 campaign (with 12 s pulse duration and I_p of 630 kA) is about 0.02 MW/m². The heat flux at divertor is 1.4–2 times higher than that at inboard limiter or passive stabilizer. With the cryopump operation, the heat flux at the central divertor is higher than that without cryopump. The heat flux at divertor is proportional to, of course, the duration of H-mode. Furthermore, a software tool, which visualizes the 2D temperature distribution of PFC tile and estimates the heat flux in real time, is developed.     

Study of Divertor Heat Patterns Induced by LHCD L-Mode Plasmas Using an Infra-Red Camera System on EAST

Divertor heat patterns induced by Lower Hybrid Current Drive(LHCD) L-mode plasmas are investigated using an infra-red(IR) camera system on an Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak(EAST). A two-dimensional finite element analysis code DFlux is used to compute heat flux along the poloidal divertor target and corresponding quantities. Outside the Origin Strike Zone(OSZ), a Second Peak Heat Flux(SPHF) zone, where the heat flux is even stronger than that at the OSZ, appears on the lower-outer(LO) divertor plates with LHCD and disappears immediately after switching off the LHCD. The main heat-flux shifts from the SPHF zone towards the OSZ when the divertor configuration converts from double null to lower single null, indicating that the growth of the SPHF zone is apparently affected by a plasma magnetic configuration. The heat patterns on the LO divertor plates are observed to be different from that on the lower-inner(LI) targets as the SPHF zone appears only on the LO divertor target. It is also found that the heat flux at the SPHF zone was obviously enhanced after the Supersonic Molecule Beam Injection(SMBI) pulse.     

Current status of He-cooled divertor development for DEMO

A He-cooled divertor concept for DEMO is being investigated at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe within the framework of the EU power plant conceptual study. The design goal is to resist a heat flux of 10 MW/m² at least. The major R&D areas are design, analyses, fabrication technology, and experimental design verification. A modular design is preferred for thermal stress reduction. The HEMJ (He-cooled modular divertor with multiple-jet cooling) was chosen as reference concept. It employs small tiles made of tungsten, which are brazed to a thimble made of tungsten alloy W-1%La₂O₃. The W finger units are connected to the main structure of ODS Eurofer steel by means of a copper casting with mechanical interlock. The divertor modules are cooled by helium jets (10 MPa, 600 °C) impinging onto the heated inner surface of the thimble.In cooperation with the Efremov Institute a combined helium loop & electron beam facility (60 kW, 27 keV) was built in St. Petersburg, Russia, for experimental verification of the design. It enables mock-up testing at a nominal helium inlet temperature of 600 °C, an internal pressure of 10 MPa, and a pressure difference in the mock-up of up to 0.5 MPa. Technological studies were performed on manufacturing of the W finger mock-ups. Several high heat flux tests were successfully performed till now. Post-examination and characterisation of the mock-ups subjected to the high heat flux tests were performed in collaboration with Forschungszentrum Jülich. Altogether, the test results confirm the divertor performance required. The helium-cooled divertor concept was demonstrated to be feasible. The knowledge gained from these experiments and some aspects on the design improvement are discussed in this contribution.     

Simulation of Toroidal Rotation Effect on Heat Flux Transport in the Edge Plasma of Small Size Divertor Tokamak

The effect of toroidal rotation on heat flux transport in the edge plasma of small size divertor was simulated by B2SOLP0.5.2D transport code. The main results of simulation shows that, the following: (1) the radial heat flux is strongly influenced by toroidal rotation. (2) The amplification of conduction part of radial heat flux imposes nonresilient profile of ion temperature, under which the effect of toroidal rotation on ion temperature profile is strong. (3) The ion distribution and its gradients are lower for counter-injection neutral beam than for co-injection neutral beam. (4) Reversal of toroidal rotation during using neutral beam injection result in reverses of radial electric field and E × B drift velocity. (5) The toroidal rotation strong influence on the ion temperature scale length of the ion temperature gradient (ITG). (6) Switch on and off all drifts leads to higher change in the ion density distribution in edge plasma of small size divertor tokamak when the unbalance neutral beam injection are considered (7) the comparison between radial heat flux at different momentum input shows that, the radial ion heat flux with larger ion temperature scale length in the case of co-injection neutral beam is larger than the ion heat flux with smaller ion temperature scale length in the case of counter-injection neutral beam.     

Heat flux on limiters in low-q discharges

Heat flux on the Doublet III limiters was measured with an infrared camera and thermocouples during low-q discharges. The total heat load to the limiters increases with in both Dee and circular plasmas. The peak heat flux on the limiters in low-q discharges of q_a^* ≈ 2 is ≈ 2 times higher than that in high-q discharges of q_a^* ≈ 4. Since a low-q discharge is essential in order to have a high-β tokamak reactor in the future, higher heat flux on the limiters may be an inevitable problem. It is proposed that the increase in peak heat flux during low-q discharges can be reduced by modification of the limiter to an asymmetric shape.     

HL-2M Divertor Geometry Exploration with SOLPS5.0

One of the critical issues to be solved for HL-2M is the power and particle exhaust. Divertor target plate geometry strongly influences the plasma profiles by controlling the neutral recycling pattern, which has in turn a strong effect on the symmetry and stability of the divertor plasma and finally on the whole edge region. The numerical simulation software SOLPS5.0 Pack- age is used to design and explore the divertor target plates for HL-2M. We choose two divertor geometries, and assess the heat flux on the target plates and first wall, then further discuss the di- vertor plasma parameters, and how private flux baffling affects both neutral recirculation pattern and pumping efficiency.     

Simulation of Small Size Divertor Tokamak Plasma Edge Including Self-Consistent Electric Fields

The B2.SOLPES.0.5.2D code (Braams, Contrib Plasma Phys 36:276, 1996; Rozhansky and Tendler, Rev Plasma Phys 19:147, 1996) is applied for modeling SOL (Scrape off Layer) plasma in the small size divertor tokamak. Detailed distributions of the plasma heat flux and other plasma parameters in SOL, especially at the target plate of the divertor are found by modeling. The modeling results show that most of the electron heat flux and small part of ion heat flux arrive at target plate of the divertor, while, a large part of the ion heat flux and part of electron heat flux arrive at the outer wall. Also analysis of the role of poloidal E × B drifts in the redistribution of edge plasma is fulfilled.     

Divertor operation in the Princeton Reference Design Model Tokamak Reactor

Projected operation of the poloidal field divertor is described for the Princeton Reference Design Tokamak Reactor. A relatively cold plasma blanket will form outside the separatrix and will constitute a thermal connection between the hot plasma and the exhaust chamber. The plasma blanket is expected to be a good absorber of slow neutrals. Simple one-dimensional models of the diverted plasma provide estimates of the plasma density distribution and particle flux to the walls. Recycling of particles with the divertor walls may amount to ten times the particle throughput of the reactor. The magnetic field configuration is also discssed.     

Active radiative liquid lithium divertor concept

Developing a reactor compatible divertor has been identified as a particularly challenging technology problem for magnetic confinement fusion. Application of lithium (Li) in NSTX resulted in improved H-mode confinement, H-mode power threshold reduction, and reduction in the divertor peak heat flux while maintaining essentially Li-free core plasma operation even during H-modes. These promising Li results in NSTX and related modeling calculations motivated the radiative liquid lithium divertor (RLLD) concept [1]. In the RLLD, Li is evaporated from the liquid lithium (LL) coated divertor strike point surface due to the intense heat flux. The evaporated Li is readily ionized by the plasma due to its low ionization energy, and the poor Li particle confinement near the divertor plate enables ionized Li ions to radiate strongly, resulting in a significant reduction in the divertor heat flux. This radiative process has the desired effect of spreading the localized divertor heat load to the rest of the divertor chamber wall surfaces, facilitating divertor heat removal. The modeling results indicated that the Li radiation can be quite strong, so that only a small amount of Li (∼a few mol/s) is needed to significantly reduce the divertor peak heat flux for typical reactor parameters. In this paper, we examine an active version of the RLLD, which we term ARLLD, where LL is injected in the upstream region of divertor. We find that the ARLLD has similar effectiveness in reducing the divertor heat flux as the RLLD, again requiring only a few mol/s of LL to significantly reduce the divertor peak heat flux for a reactor. An advantage of the ARLLD is that one can inject LL proactively even in a feedback mode to insure the divertor peak heat flux remains below an acceptable level, providing the first line of defense against excessive divertor heat loads which could result in damage to divertor PFCs. Moreover, the low confinement property of the divertor (i.e., <1 ms for Li particle confinement time) makes the ARLLD response fast enough to mitigate the effects of possible transient events such as large ELMs.     

Manufacturing of the Wendelstein 7-X divertor and wall protection

The in-vessel components of Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) with a total surface of 265 m² comprise the divertor and the wall protection. The high heat flux (HHF) and lower heat flux (LHF) target, the baffle, the end plates closing the divertor chamber, a cryo vacuum pump (CVP) and a control coil form one divertor unit. Steel panels and the graphite heat shield protect the wall, including the ports. The HHF target elements, the steel panels and the control coils are manufactured by industry. The remaining components will be manufactured by the Max-Planck-Institute für Plasmaphysik (IPP) at its Garching workshops. For all components the final acceptance tests will be performed by IPP. This paper summarizes the main aspects for manufacturing, the preceding development and qualification tests as well as the final acceptance tests for the in-vessel components.     

Simulations of the SOL plasma for FAST,a proposed ITER satellite tokamak

The first simulations with EDGE2D/EIRENE code of the SOL plasma in the FAST tokamak have been run for the basic H-mode scenario. Its similarity to ITER and relevance for DEMO bring interest to the study. Five different preliminary divertor designs have been examined by varying density at separatrix over the plausible range n_s,out = 0.7–1.0 × 10²⁰ m^?3. Margins exist for optimizing the design and minimizing the impurity injection rate even at the lowest density, with load below the safe limit of 18 MW/m² on the monoblock W targets, and to achieve a good degree of detachment at higher density. Both the plate tilting angle and the neutral dynamics are crucial factors. The detachment level can be significantly increased for the higher density scenario, while for the full non-inductive operation the injection of impurities will probably be necessary to reduce the heat load.     

Module of lithium divertor for KTM tokamak

Activity on projects of ITER and DEMO reactors has shown that solution of problems of divertor target plates and other plasma facing elements (PFEs) based on the solid plasma facing materials cause serious difficulties. Problems of PFE degradation, tritium accumulation and plasma pollution can be overcome by the use of liquid lithium–metal with low Z. Application of lithium will allow to create a self-renewal and MHD stable liquid metal surface of the in-vessel devices possessing practically unlimited service life; to reduce power flux due to intensive re-irradiation on lithium atoms in plasma periphery that will essentially facilitate a problem of heat removal from PFE; to reduce Z_eff of plasma to minimally possible level close to 1; to exclude tritium accumulation, that is provided with absence of dust products and an opportunity of the active control of the tritium contents in liquid lithium. Realization of these advantages is based on use of so-called lithium capillary-porous system (CPS) – new material in which liquid lithium fill a solid matrix from porous material. The progress in development of lithium technology and also activity in lithium experiments in the tokamaks TFTR, T-11M, T-10, FTU, NSTX, HT-7 and stellarator TJ II permits of solving the problems in development of steady-state operating lithium divertor module project for Kazakhstan tokamak KTM. At present the lithium divertor module for KTM tokamak is under development in the framework of ISTC project # K-1561. Initial heating up to 200 °C and lithium surface temperature stabilization during plasma interaction in the range of 350–550 °C will be provided by external system for thermal stabilization due to circulation of the Na–K heat transfer media. Lithium filled tungsten felt is offered as the base plasma facing material of divertor. Development, creation and experimental research of lithium divertor model for KTM will allow to solve existing problems and to fulfill the basic approaches to designing of lithium divertor and in-vessel elements of new fusion reactor generation, to investigate plasma physics aspects of lithium influence, to develop technology of work with lithium in tokamak conditions. Results of this project addresses to the progress in the field of fusion neutrons source and fusion energy source creation.     

Study of Striated Heat Flux on EAST Divertor Plates Induced by LHW Using Infrared Camera

An upgraded infrared （IR） imaging system which provides a wide field of view （FOV） has been installed on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak （EAST） to monitor the surface temperatures on plasma facing components. Modified magnetic topology induced by lower hybrid wave （LHW） can lead to the formation of striated heat flux （SHF} on divertor plates which can be clearly observed by IR camera. In this paper, LHW power modulation is applied to analyze the appearance of SHF. It is also demonstrated that deuterium （D） pellet injection and supersonic molecular beam injection （SMBI） can to some extent reduce the heat flux on the outer strike point （OSP）, but enhance the SHF on lower outer plates （LOP） of divertor. This may provide an optional approach to actively control the distribution of heat flux on diveror plates, which can protect materials from long duration high-heat flux.