Public Abstract

DE-FC02-08ER54977: GYROKINETIC SIMULATION OF ENERGETIC PARTICLE TURBULENCE AND TRANSPORT

Award Status: Inactive

Institution: General Atomics, San Diego, CA
UEI: TVRYQ3N3B8H5
DUNS: 067638957

Most Recent Award Date: 01/20/2017
Number of Support Periods: 9
PM: Mandrekas, John

Current Budget Period: 02/15/2016 - 06/14/2017
Current Project Period: 02/15/2016 - 06/14/2017
PI: Waltz, Ronald

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Gyrokinetic Simulation of Energetic Particle Turbulence and Transport Principal Investigator: Zhihong Lin University of California, Irvine Co-Principal Investigators: Ronald E. Waltz General Atomics Donald A. Spong Oak Ridge National Laboratory Abstract The confinement of energetic particles (EP) is a critical issue for burning plasma experiments such as ITER, which will rely on the self-heating by energetic fusion products (a-particles) to sustain ignition. The fusion SciDAC GSEP Center (Gyrokinetic Simulation of Energetic Particle Turbulence and Transport) has successfully established gyrokinetic turbulence simulation as a necessary paradigm shift for studying the energetic particle confinement in burning plasmas. In this GSEP 1-year renewal we will perform new collaborative research on: 1. Validation of critical gradient model for time-averaged EP transport by using DIII-D EP experiments and large scale nonlinear simulations, and prediction of self-consistent EP profiles in DIII-D and ITER experiments; and 2. Dynamics of transient behaviors of EP turbulence by using large scale nonlinear simulations, and validation of nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations for DIII-D chirping modes. The time-averaged EP transport measures the overall EP confinement level required to sustain ignition in ITER. Meanwhile, severe damage to the ITER wall could be caused by the high peak to average transient behaviors of EP turbulence such as the bursting characteristics of chirping modes and avalanche phenomena. This research would bridge the gap in modeling capability and nonlinear validation for predicting both time-averaged EP profiles and transient behaviors of EP turbulence. The validation and prediction requires nonlinear gyrokinetic simulation covering multiple spatial-temporal scales and incorporating multiple physical processes (e.g., EP instability, microturbulence, and MHD modes). The proposed research therefore represents a significant step in the validation of the first-principles, integrated simulation toward building predictive capability for long pulse, burning plasmas.

Gyrokinetic Simulation of Energetic Particle Turbulence and Transport

Principal Investigator:

Zhihong Lin

University of California, Irvine

Co-Principal Investigators:

Ronald E. Waltz

General Atomics

Donald A. Spong

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Abstract

The confinement of energetic particles (EP) is a critical issue for burning plasma experiments such as ITER, which will rely on the self-heating by energetic fusion products (a-particles) to sustain ignition. The fusion SciDAC GSEP Center (Gyrokinetic Simulation of Energetic Particle Turbulence and Transport) has successfully established gyrokinetic turbulence simulation as a necessary paradigm shift for studying the energetic particle confinement in burning plasmas. In this GSEP 1-year renewal we will perform new collaborative research on:

1. Validation of critical gradient model for time-averaged EP transport by using DIII-D EP experiments and large scale nonlinear simulations, and prediction of self-consistent EP profiles in DIII-D and ITER experiments; and

2. Dynamics of transient behaviors of EP turbulence by using large scale nonlinear simulations, and validation of nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations for DIII-D chirping modes.

The time-averaged EP transport measures the overall EP confinement level required to sustain ignition in ITER. Meanwhile, severe damage to the ITER wall could be caused by the high peak to average transient behaviors of EP turbulence such as the bursting characteristics of chirping modes and avalanche phenomena. This research would bridge the gap in modeling capability and nonlinear validation for predicting both time-averaged EP profiles and transient behaviors of EP turbulence. The validation and prediction requires nonlinear gyrokinetic simulation covering multiple spatial-temporal scales and incorporating multiple physical processes (e.g., EP instability, microturbulence, and MHD modes). The proposed research therefore represents a significant step in the validation of the first-principles, integrated simulation toward building predictive capability for long pulse, burning plasmas.