Public Abstract

DE-SC0016408: Control of the Plasma-Material Interface for Long Pulse Optimization in EAST and KSTAR

Award Status: Inactive

Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
UEI: E2NYLCDML6V1
DUNS: 001425594

Most Recent Award Date: 04/09/2020
Number of Support Periods: 3
PM: Lanctot, Matthew

Current Budget Period: 08/01/2018 - 09/30/2021
Current Project Period: 08/01/2016 - 09/30/2021
PI: Whyte, Dennis

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Control of the Plasma-Material Interface for Long Pulse Optimization in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak Lead PI: Rajesh Maingi, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Institutional PIs: John Canik, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Brian Wirth, University of Tennessee at Knoxville Daniel Andruczyk, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graham Wright, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Kevin Tritz, Johns Hopkins University Zhehui Wang, Los Alamos National Laboratory The aim of this project is to understand and control the plasma-material interface to improve long pulse discharge control and performance in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) device, emphasizing the unique strength of this facility. A multi-institutional team consisting of national labs and universities will conduct the collaborative research. In the EAST device, the focus is on long pulse recycling control and optimization, which requires optimization because of the broad range of materials used for plasma-facing components (PFC) and wall conditioning techniques in the device. EAST uses both lithium deposition and cryogenic condensation pumps for control of plasma recycling from the PFCs during long pulse discharges. The research elements include: Evaluate the performance of the different PFC materials, which include tungsten, molybdenum, and graphite, and the role of lithium wall conditioning, including determination of the minimal usage for acceptable performance; optimize lithium delivery tools Analyze the roles of the lithium and the divertor cryopump in long pulse recycling and density control, and provide a physics-based re-design of the lower divertor plenum to optimize cryopump particle exhaust Measure net erosion and material migration with the use of marker tiles, and enhanced impurity density diagnostics Because long pulse recycling control is needed for next step devices, the knowledge will be used to improve reactor designs, while also advancing the EAST program.

Control of the Plasma-Material Interface for Long Pulse Optimization in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak

Lead PI:

Rajesh Maingi, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

Institutional PIs:

John Canik, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Brian Wirth, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

Daniel Andruczyk, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Graham Wright, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Kevin Tritz, Johns Hopkins University

Zhehui Wang, Los Alamos National Laboratory

The aim of this project is to understand and control the plasma-material interface to improve long pulse discharge control and performance in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) device, emphasizing the unique strength of this facility. A multi-institutional team consisting of national labs and universities will conduct the collaborative research.

In the EAST device, the focus is on long pulse recycling control and optimization, which requires optimization because of the broad range of materials used for plasma-facing components (PFC) and wall conditioning techniques in the device. EAST uses both lithium deposition and cryogenic condensation pumps for control of plasma recycling from the PFCs during long pulse discharges. The research elements include:

Evaluate the performance of the different PFC materials, which include tungsten, molybdenum, and graphite, and the role of lithium wall conditioning, including determination of the minimal usage for acceptable performance; optimize lithium delivery tools
Analyze the roles of the lithium and the divertor cryopump in long pulse recycling and density control, and provide a physics-based re-design of the lower divertor plenum to optimize cryopump particle exhaust
Measure net erosion and material migration with the use of marker tiles, and enhanced impurity density diagnostics

Because long pulse recycling control is needed for next step devices, the knowledge will be used to improve reactor designs, while also advancing the EAST program.