Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor gas injection control system design and operation

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.573918· OSTI ID:5607967

Thompson, M E; Dylla, H F; LaMarche, P H; Arnold, N D; Rauch, W A; Mueller, D; Hawryluk, R J

Magnetic fusion devices require fast-responding, versatile, and accurate gas injection systems in order to initiate and modulate the plasma density. We describe the gas injection control system (GICS), which regulates the gas injected into the torus of Princeton's Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR). Synchronized with each TFTR discharge, a PDP 11/23 microcomputer provides real-time control for one to six fast injection valves, each allocated to feedback or open loop operation. Up to four feedback sources, including torus pressure gauges and plasma density measurements, are checked once each cycle for 1000 cycles; the cycle duration can be set to any multiple of 2 ms up to 16 ms. Detection of various fault conditions can cause automatic shutdown or modification of GICS operation. Data is archived after each TFTR discharge, and subsequently used for particle fueling studies and analysis of system drifts. A steady state mode of operation is used for vacuum vessel discharge cleaning. The system also provides for valve calibration and torus pumping speed measurements.

• Research Organization: Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, 08544
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 5607967
• Journal Information: J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States), Journal Name: J. Vac. Sci. Technol., A; (United States) Vol. 4:3; ISSN JVTAD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
CALIBRATION
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT INTERFACES
FEEDBACK
FLUID INJECTION
GAS INJECTION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
PRESSURE GAGES
PUMPING
TFTR TOKAMAK
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TOKAMAK TYPE REACTORS
VACUUM GAGES