TMX Tandem-mirror Experiments and Thermal-barrier Theoretical Studies

TMX Tandem-mirror Experiments and Thermal-barrier Theoretical Studies PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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This paper describes recent analysis of energy confinement in the Tandem Mirror Experiment (TMX). TMX data also indicates that warm plasma limits the amplitude of the anisotropy driven Alfven ion cyclotron (AIC) mode. Theoretical calculations show strong AIC stabilization with off-normal beam injection as planned in TMX-U and MFTF-B. This paper reports results of theoretical analysis of hot electrons in thermal barriers including electron heating calculations by Monte Carlo and Fokker-Planck codes and analysis of hot electron MHD and microinstability. Initial results from the TMX-U experiment are presented which show the presence of sloshing ions.

TMX Tandem-mirror Experiments and Thermal-barrier Theoretical Studies

TMX Tandem-mirror Experiments and Thermal-barrier Theoretical Studies PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This paper describes recent analysis of energy confinement in the Tandem Mirror Experiment (TMX). TMX data also indicates that warm plasma limits the amplitude of the anisotropy driven Alfven ion cyclotron (AIC) mode. Theoretical calculations show strong AIC stabilization with off-normal beam injection as planned in TMX-U and MFTF-B. This paper reports results of theoretical analysis of hot electrons in thermal barriers including electron heating calculations by Monte Carlo and Fokker-Planck codes and analysis of hot electron MHD and microinstability. Initial results from the TMX-U experiment are presented which show the presence of sloshing ions.

Tandem Mirror Thermal Barrier Experimental Program Plan

Tandem Mirror Thermal Barrier Experimental Program Plan PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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This report describes an experimental plan for the development of the Tandem Mirror Thermal Barrier. Included is: (1) a description of thermal barrier related physics experiments; (2) thermal barrier related experiments in the existing TMX and Phaedrus experiments; (3) a thermal barrier TMX upgrade; and (4) initiation of investigations of axisymmetric magnetic geometry. Experimental studies of the first two items are presently underway. Results are expected from the TMX upgrade by the close of 1981 and from axisymmetric tandem mirror experiments at the end of 1983. Plans for Phaedrus upgrades are developing for the same period.

Initial TMX-U Thermal-barrier Experiments

Initial TMX-U Thermal-barrier Experiments PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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This paper describes results from the initial thermal barrier experiments in the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade (TMX-U). Strong end plugging has been produced using a combination of ECRH gyrotrons with sloshing ion beam injection. Plugging has been achieved with a central cell higher than that of the end plugs. In these low-density central cell experiments (7 x 1011 cm−3) the axial losses (tau/sub parallel to/ = 20 to 80 ms) are smaller than the radial losses (tau/sub perpendicular to/ = 4 to 8 ms). Although no direct measurements are yet available to determine if a thermal barrier potential dip is generated, these experiments support many theoretical features of the thermal barrier concept.

TMX-U Tandem-Mirror Thermal-barrier Experiments

TMX-U Tandem-Mirror Thermal-barrier Experiments PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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Thermal-barrier experiments have been carried out in the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade (TMX-U). Measurements of nonambipolar and ambipolar radial transport show that these transport processes, as well as end losses, can be controlled at modest densities and durations. Central-cell heating methods using ion-cyclotron heating (ICH) and neutral-beam injection have been demonstrated. Potential measurements with recently developed methods indicate that deep thermal barriers can be established.

Recent Experimental Progress in the TMX-U Thermal Barrier Tandem Mirror Experiment

Recent Experimental Progress in the TMX-U Thermal Barrier Tandem Mirror Experiment PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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Recent experiments on the TMX-U thermal barrier device at LLNL have achieved the end plugging of axial ion losses up to a central cell density of n/sub c/ = 2 x 1012 cm. During these tests, the axial potential profile characteristic of a thermal barrier has been measured experimentally, indicating an ion-confining potential greater than 1.5 kV and a potential depression of 0.45 kV in the barrier region. The average beta of hot electrons in the thermal barrier has been increased to 15% and appears limited only by classical scattering and ECRH pulse duration. Furthermore, deuterium ions in the central cell have been heated with ICRF to an average energy of 1.5 keV, with a heating efficiency of 40%. During strong end plugging, the axial ion confinement time reached 50 to 100 ms while the nonambipolar radial ion confinement time was 5 to 15 ms - independent of end plugging. Radial ion confinement time exceeding 100 ms has been attained on shots without end plugging. Plates, floated electrically on the end walls, have increased the radial ion confinement time by a factor of 1.8. Further improvement in the central cell density during end plugging can be expected by increasing the ICRF, improving the central cell vacuum conditions and beam heating efficiency, and increasing the radial extent of the potential control plates on the end walls.

TMX-U (Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade) Tandem-mirror Thermal-barrier Experiments

TMX-U (Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade) Tandem-mirror Thermal-barrier Experiments PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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Book Description
Thermal-barrier experiments have been carried out in the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Upgrade (TMX-U). Measurements of nonambipolar and ambipolar radial transport show that these transport processes, as well as end losses, can be controlled at modest densities and durations. Central-cell heating methods using ion-cyclotron heating (ICH) and neutral-beam injection have been demonstrated. Potential mesurements with recently developed methods indicate that deep thermal barriers can be established.

Experimental Results from TMX-U. [Tandem Mirror Experiment-Update].

Experimental Results from TMX-U. [Tandem Mirror Experiment-Update]. PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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This paper presents the recent results from the Tandem Mirror Experiment-Update(TMX-U). Many of these results can be divided into two major areas: (1) axial confinement and plasma potential, and (2) radial transport and total confinement (i.e., particle balance). Among the key observations to be discussed are the following: When the ion-confining potential theta/sub ic/ is small, theta/sub ic//T/sub i/ approx. 1 to 2, the axial confinement time scales as the theoretical Pastukhov time. Deep thermal barriers (theta/sub b/ approx. 0.7 kV, theta/sub b//T/sub e/ approx. 6 to 7) have been measured, but there is no strong correlation between ion-confining potential and the thermal-barrier depth. By installing a calibrated H/sub .cap alpha./ emission diagnostic to measure the ionization current, we have quantified particle balance between the ionization source current and the four plasma current channels: (1) axial losses, (2) nonambipolar radial losses, (3) ambipolar radial losses, and (4) density changes. All current channels are directly measured except for the ambipolar current, which is inferred from the particle balance equation. TMX-U operation above 1 to 3 x 1012 cm−3 is dominated by current channel (1) and below 1 x 1012 cm−3 by one or more of the remaining three channels. Central-cell particle buildup has been observed for one or two e-foldings and, within the radial core, found consistent with particle balance.

Thermal Barrier Confinement Experiments in the TMX-U Tandem Mirror

Thermal Barrier Confinement Experiments in the TMX-U Tandem Mirror PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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In our recent experiments on the TMX-U thermal-barrier device, we achieved the end plugging of axial ion losses up to a central cell density of n/sub c/ = 6 x 1012 cm−3. During lower density experiments, we measured the axial potential profile characteristic of a thermal barrier and found an ion-confining potential greater than 1.5 kV and a potential depression of 0.45 kV in the barrier region. The average beta of hot end plug electrons has reached 15% and of hot central cell ions has reached 6%. In addition, we heated deuterium ions in the central cell with ICRF to an average perpendicular energy of 2 keV. During strong end plugging at low density (7 x 1011 cm−3), the axial ion confinement time tau/sub parallel/ reached 50 to 100 ms while the nonambipolar radial ion confinement time tau/sub perpendicular/ was 14 ms - independent of end plugging. Electrically floating end walls increased the radial ion confinement time by a factor of 1.8. At higher densities and lower potentials, tau/sub parallel/ was 6 to 12 ms and tau/sub perpendicular/ exceeded 100 ms.

Energy Research Abstracts

Energy Research Abstracts PDF Author:
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Category : Power resources
Languages : en
Pages : 752

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Tandem Mirror Experiment Upgrade (TMX-U) Overview-recent Events

Tandem Mirror Experiment Upgrade (TMX-U) Overview-recent Events PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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Since its construction and commissioning was completed in the winter of 1981, the Tandem Mirror Experiment Upgrade (TMX-U) has been conducting tandem mirror thermal barrier experiments. The work, following the fall of 1983 when strong plugging with thermal barriers was achieved, has been directed toward controlling radial transport and forming thermal barriers with high density and Beta. This paper describes the overall engineering component of these efforts. Major changes to the machine have included vacuum improvements, changes to the Electron and Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating systems (ECRH and ICRH), and the installation of a Plasma Potential Control system (PPC) for radial transport reduction. TMX-U operates an extensive diagnostics system that acquires data from 21 types of diagnostic instruments with more than 600 channels, in addition to 246 machine parameters. The changes and additions will be presented. The closing section of this paper will describe the initial study work for a proposed TMX-U octupole configured machine.