National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) and Planned Research
The U.S. fusion energy sciences program began in 1996 to increase emphasis on confinement concept innovation. The NSTX [1,2] is being built at PPPL as a national fusion science research facility in response to this emphasis. NSTX is to test fusion science principles of the Spherical Torus (ST) plasmas, which include: (1) High plasma pressure in low magnetic field for high fusion power density, (2) Good energy confinement is a small-size plasma, (3) Nearly fully self-driven (bootstrap) plasma current, (4) Dispersed heat and particle fluxes, and (5) Plasma startup without complicated inboard solenoid magnet. These properties of the ST plasma, if verified, would lead to possible future fusion devices of high fusion performance, small size, feasible power handling, and improved economy. The design of NSTX is depicted in Fig.1. The device is designed to study plasmas with major radius up to 85 cm, minor radius up to 68 cm, elongation up to 2, with flexibility in forming double-null, single-null, and inboard limited plasmas. The nominal operation calls for a toroidal field of 0.3 T for 5 s at the major radius, and a plasma current at 1 MA with q {approximately} 10 at edge. It features a compact center stack containing the inner legs of the toroidal field coils, a full size solenoid capable of delivering 0.6 Wb induction, inboard vacuum vessel, and composite carbon tiles. The center stack can be replaced without disturbing the main device, diagnostics, and auxiliary systems. The vessel will be covered fully with graphite tiles and can be baked to 350 C. Other wall conditioning techniques are also planned.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- OSTI ID:
- 14608
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/CP-104935; TRN: US0106182
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Conference title not supplied, Conference location not supplied, Conference dates not supplied; Other Information: PBD: 13 Nov 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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