Advances in the Physics Understanding of ELM Suppression Using Resonant Magnetic Perturbations in DIII-D.

Advances in the Physics Understanding of ELM Suppression Using Resonant Magnetic Perturbations in DIII-D. PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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Advances in the Physics Basis of the Hybrid Scenario on DIII-D.

Advances in the Physics Basis of the Hybrid Scenario on DIII-D. PDF Author:
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Languages : en
Pages : 10

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Recent experiments on DIII-D have extended the hybrid scenario towards the burning plasma regime by incorporating strong electron heating, low torque injection, and edge localized mode (ELM) suppression. Hybrid performance projecting to Q e"10 on ITER at q95=3.1 has been achieved in plasmas with reduced ion/electron temperature ratio or Mach number. Confinement is decreased relative to previous hybrid results, consistent with measurements of increased turbulence at low and intermediate wavenumbers. For the first time, large type-I ELMs have been completely suppressed in a hybrid plasma at q95=3.6 by applying edge resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) with toroidal mode number n=3. Additionally, high performance hybrid and steady-state scenario operation has been demonstrated with reduced frequency of wall conditioning with a>95% graphite plasma-facing wall.

DIII-D Research to Address Key Challenges for ITER and Fusion Energy

DIII-D Research to Address Key Challenges for ITER and Fusion Energy PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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DIII-D has made significant advances in the scientific basis for fusion energy. The physics mechanism of resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) edge localized mode (ELM) suppression is revealed as field penetration at the pedestal top, and reduced coil set operation was demonstrated. Disruption runaway electrons were effectively quenched by shattered pellets; runaway dissipation is explained by pitch angle scattering. Modest thermal quench radiation asymmetries are well described NIMROD modeling. With good pedestal regulation and error field correction, low torque ITER baselines have been demonstrated and shown to be compatible with an ITER test blanket module simulator. However performance and long wavelength turbulence degrade as low rotation and electron heating are approached. The alternative QH mode scenario is shown to be compatible with high Greenwald density fraction, with an edge harmonic oscillation demonstrating good impurity flushing. Discharge optimization guided by the EPED model has discovered a new super H-mode with doubled pedestal height. Lithium injection also led to wider, higher pedestals. On the path to steady state, 1 MA has been sustained fully non inductively with [beta]N = 4 and RMP ELM suppression, while a peaked current profile scenario provides attractive options for ITER and a [beta]N = 5 future reactor. Energetic particle transport is found to exhibit a critical gradient behavior. Scenarios are shown to be compatible with radiative and snowflake diverter techniques. Physics studies reveal that the transition to H mode is locked in by a rise in ion diamagnetic flows. Intrinsic rotation in the plasma edge is demonstrated to arise from kinetic losses. New 3D magnetic sensors validate linear ideal MHD, but identify issues in nonlinear simulations. Detachment, characterized in 2D with sub-eV resolution, reveals a radiation shortfall in simulations. As a result, future facility development targets burning plasma physics with torque free electron heating, the path to steady state with increased off axis currents, and a new divertor solution for fusion reactors.

A 0-D Scaling Approach to the DIII-D L-H Power Threshold in the Presence of Resonant Magnetic Perturbations

A 0-D Scaling Approach to the DIII-D L-H Power Threshold in the Presence of Resonant Magnetic Perturbations PDF Author: Michael Hanson
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Languages : en
Pages : 0

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We report a DIII-D database study of the H-mode power threshold over a wide range of plasma conditions and in the presence of resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs). This database consisting of global (i.e. averaged) quantities is first compared to the 2008 ITPA database and the resulting L-H power scaling [38]. Since ELM control is critical for ITER, and applied 3D fields will likely be present prior to the transition into the H-mode, this study is important for assessing the impact of RMP ELM suppression on the L-H power threshold. The L-H transition has been studied extensively and is dependent on the physical and magnetic divertor geometry, shear flows, and drifts, among other parameters, some of which are altered by RMP fields. In order to understand the effects of RMPs on the L-H threshold, we attempt to make a robust empirical model, using only DIII-D data, that includes magnitudes and the toroidal modes of various resonant and non-resonant 3D fields. In addition, we assess the validity of previous assumptions about fast ion losses, as well as the usefulness of 0-D database regressions for extrapolation to ITER. Results from this database study show the standard 0-D parameters to be insufficient for capturing the complex L-H transition physics at a level high enough to provide an extrapolation to ITER with reasonable certainty.

RMP Enhanced Transport and Rotation Screening in DIII-D Simulations

RMP Enhanced Transport and Rotation Screening in DIII-D Simulations PDF Author:
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Languages : en
Pages : 9

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The application of resonant magnetic perturbations (RMP) to DIII-D plasmas at low collisionality has achieved ELM suppression, primarily due to a pedestal density reduction. The mechanism of the enhanced particle transport is investigated in 3D MHD simulations with the NIMROD code. The simulations apply realistic vacuum fields from the DIII-D I-coils, C-coils and measure intrinsic error fields to an EFIT reconstructed DIII-D equilibrium, and allow the plasma to respond to the applied fields while the fields are fixed at the boundary, which lies in the vacuum region. A non-rotating plasma amplifies the resonant components of the applied fields by factors of 2-5. The poloidal velocity forms E x B convection cells crossing the separatrix, which push particles into the vacuum region and reduce the pedestal density. Low toroidal rotation at the separatrix reduces the resonant field amplitudes, but does not strongly affect the particle pumpout. At higher separatrix rotation, the poloidal E x B velocity is reduced by half, while the enhanced particle transport is entirely eliminated. A high collisionality DIII-D equilibrium with an experimentally measured rotation profile serves as the starting point for a simulation with odd parity I-coil fields that can ultimately be compared with experimental results. All of the NIMROD results are compared with analytic error field theory.

Active Control of Magneto-hydrodynamic Instabilities in Hot Plasmas

Active Control of Magneto-hydrodynamic Instabilities in Hot Plasmas PDF Author: Valentin Igochine
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3662442221
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 350

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Book Description
During the past century, world-wide energy consumption has risen dramatically, which leads to a quest for new energy sources. Fusion of hydrogen atoms in hot plasmas is an attractive approach to solve the energy problem, with abundant fuel, inherent safety and no long-lived radioactivity. However, one of the limits on plasma performance is due to the various classes of magneto-hydrodynamic instabilities that may occur. The physics and control of these instabilities in modern magnetic confinement fusion devices is the subject of this book. Written by foremost experts, the contributions will provide valuable reference and up-to-date research reviews for "old hands" and newcomers alike.

Iter Physics

Iter Physics PDF Author: C Wendell Horton, Jr
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9814678686
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
The promise of a vast and clean source of thermal power drove physics research for over fifty years and has finally come to collimation with the international consortium led by the European Union and Japan, with an agreement from seven countries to build a definitive test of fusion power in ITER. It happened because scientists since the Manhattan project have envisioned controlled nuclear fusion in obtaining energy with no carbon dioxide emissions and no toxic nuclear waste products.This large toroidal magnetic confinement ITER machine is described from confinement process to advanced physics of plasma-wall interactions, where pulses erupt from core plasma blistering the machine walls. Emissions from the walls reduce the core temperature which must remain ten times hotter than the 15 million degree core solar temperature to maintain ITER fusion power. The huge temperature gradient from core to wall that drives intense plasma turbulence is described in detail.Also explained are the methods designed to limit the growth of small magnetic islands, the growth of edge localized plasma plumes and the solid state physics limits of the stainless steel walls of the confinement vessel from the burning plasma. Designs of the wall coatings and the special 'exhaust pipe' for spent hot plasma are provided in two chapters. And the issues associated with high-energy neutrons — about 10 times higher than in fission reactions — and how they are managed in ITER, are detailed.

Final Report of the Committee on a Strategic Plan for U.S. Burning Plasma Research

Final Report of the Committee on a Strategic Plan for U.S. Burning Plasma Research PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309487463
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 341

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Book Description
Fusion offers the prospect of virtually unlimited energy. The United States and many nations around the world have made enormous progress toward achieving fusion energy. With ITER scheduled to go online within a decade and demonstrate controlled fusion ten years later, now is the right time for the United States to develop plans to benefit from its investment in burning plasma research and take steps to develop fusion electricity for the nation's future energy needs. At the request of the Department of Energy, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine organized a committee to develop a strategic plan for U.S. fusion research. The final report's two main recommendations are: (1) The United States should remain an ITER partner as the most cost-effective way to gain experience with a burning plasma at the scale of a power plant. (2) The United States should start a national program of accompanying research and technology leading to the construction of a compact pilot plant that produces electricity from fusion at the lowest possible capital cost.

DIII-D Research in Support of ITER.

DIII-D Research in Support of ITER. PDF Author:
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Languages : en
Pages : 16

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DIII-D research is providing key information for the design and operation of ITER. Discharges that simulate ITER operating scenarios in conventional H-mode, advanced inductive, hybrid, and steady state regimes have achieved normalized performance consistent with ITER's goals for fusion performance. Stationary discharges with high [beta]{sub N} and 90% noninductive current that project to Q=5 in ITER have been sustained for a current relaxation time (≈2.5 s), and high-beta wall-stabilized discharges with fully non-inductive current drive have been sustained for more than one second. Detailed issues of plasma control have been addressed, including the development of a new large-bore startup scenario for ITER. A broad research program provides the physics basis for predicting the performance of ITER. Recent key results include the discovery that the L-H power threshold is reduced with low neutral beam torque, and the development of a successful model for prediction of the H-mode pedestal height in DIII-D. Research areas with the potential to improve ITER's performance include the demonstration of ELM-free 'QH-mode' discharges with both co and counter-injection, and validation of the predicted torque generated by static, non-axisymmetric magnetic fields. New diagnostics provide detailed benchmarking of turbulent transport codes and direct measurements of the anomalous transport of fast ions by Alfven instabilities. DIII-D research also contributes to the basis for reliable operation in ITER, through active control of the chief performance-limiting instabilities. Recently, ELM suppression with resonant magnetic perturbations has been demonstrated at collisionality similar to ITER's, while simultaneous stabilization of NTMs (by localized current drive) and RWMs (by magnetic feedback) has allowed stable operation at high beta and low rotation. In research aimed at improving the lifetime of material surfaces near the plasma, recent experiments have investigated several approaches to mitigation of disruptions, including injection of low-Z gas and low-Z pellets, and have shown the conditions that minimize core impurity accumulation during radiative divertor operation. Investigation of carbon erosion, transport, and co-deposition with hydrogenic species, and methods for the removal of co-deposits, will contribute to the physics basis for initial operation of ITER with a carbon divertor.

Suppression of Type-I ELMs Using a Single Toroidal Row of Magnetic Field Perturbation Coils in DIII-D.

Suppression of Type-I ELMs Using a Single Toroidal Row of Magnetic Field Perturbation Coils in DIII-D. PDF Author:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 19

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