Generalized saddle point condition for ignition in a tokamak reactor with temperature and density profiles

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Fusion Technology; (USA)

OSTI ID:5006969

Mitari, O ^[1]; Hirose, A; Skarsgard, H M ^[2]

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1. Kumamoto Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Ikeda 4-22-1, Kumamoto 860 (JP)
2. Univ. of Saskatchewan, Dept. of Physics, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N OWO (CA)

In this paper, the concept of a generalized ignition contour map, is extended to the realistic case of a plasma with temperature and density profiles in order to study access to ignition in a tokamak reactor. The generalized saddle point is found to lie between the Lawson and ignition conditions. If the height of the operation path with Goldston L-mode scaling is higher than the generalized saddle point, a reactor can reach ignition with this scaling for the case with no confinement degradation effect due to alpha-particle heating. In this sense, the saddle point given in a general form is a new criterion for reaching ignition. Peaking the profiles for the plasma temperature and density can lower the height of the generalized saddle point and help a reactor to reach ignition. With this in mind, the authors can judge whether next-generation tokamaks, such as Compact Ignition Tokamak, Tokamak Ignition/Burn Experimental Reactor, Next European Torus, Fusion Experimental Reactor, International Tokamak Reactor, and AC Tokamak Reactor, can reach ignition with realistic profile parameters and an L-mode scaling law.

• OSTI ID: 5006969
• Journal Information: Fusion Technology; (USA), Journal Name: Fusion Technology; (USA) Vol. 16:2; ISSN 0748-1896; ISSN FUSTE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220100 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Theory & Calculation
220600 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Research
Test & Experimental Reactors
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
700200 -- Fusion Energy-- Fusion Power Plant Technology
CALCULATION METHODS
CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES
COMPACT IGNITION TOKAMAK
CONFINEMENT
EXPERIMENTAL REACTORS
HEATING
NET TOKAMAK
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA HEATING
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
SADDLE-POINT METHOD
SCALING LAWS
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR IGNITION
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TOKAMAK DEVICES
TOKAMAK TYPE REACTORS