A study of X-divertor in NSTX-U with SOLPS simulations

Chen, Zhong-Ping; Kotschenreuther, Mike; Mahajan, Swadesh; Gerhardt, Stefan

doi:10.1088/1741-4326/aaa5ca

A study of X-divertor in NSTX-U with SOLPS simulations

Journal Article · Thu Jan 25 04:00:00 EST 2018 · Nuclear Fusion

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/aaa5ca· OSTI ID:1543945

Chen, Zhong-Ping ^[1]; Kotschenreuther, Mike ^[1]; Mahajan, Swadesh ^[1]; Gerhardt, Stefan ^[2]

University of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

The X-divertor (XD) geometry in NSTX-U is demonstrated, via SOLPS simulations, to perform better than the standard divertor (SD); in particular, it allows detachment at a lower upstream density and stabilizes the detachment front near the target, away from the main X-point. Consequently a stable detached operation becomes possible—the localization near the plate allows a vast reduction of heat fluxes without degrading the core plasma. Indeed, it is confirmed by our simulation that at similar states of detachment the XD outperforms the SD by reducing the heat fluxes to the target and maintaining higher upstream temperatures, resulting in scrape-off layers that are more favorable for advanced tokamak operation. The advantages are attributed to the unique geometric characteristics of XD—poloidal flaring near the target.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of Texas, Austin, TX (United States); Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: FG02-04ER54742; FG02-04ER54754; SC0012956

OSTI ID:: 1543945

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 22925486

Journal Information:: Nuclear Fusion, Journal Name: Nuclear Fusion Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 58; ISSN 0029-5515

Publisher:: IOP ScienceCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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