Implementation of a 9-point stencil in SOLPS-ITER and implications for Alcator C-Mod divertor plasma simulations

Dekeyser, Wouter; Bonnin, Xavier; Lisgo, Steven W.; Pitts, Richard A.; LaBombard, Brian

doi:10.7910/DVN/2HPH8J

Title: Implementation of a 9-point stencil in SOLPS-ITER and implications for Alcator C-Mod divertor plasma simulations

Abstract

The SOLPS-ITER code suite is used worldwide for plasma edge modeling, the interpretation of experiments, as well as for the design of the ITER divertor. The numerical scheme of the plasma solver of the code, B2.5, is based on the assumption of perfectly ﬁeld-aligned grids, while in practice grids are often strongly distorted to match divertor target shapes. Neglecting these grid distortion leads to qualitatively and quantitatively incorrect results for ﬂuid neutral simulations, and may affect results in cold (detached) divertors even when using kinetic neutral simulations. In this contribution, we present the ﬁrst results of a newly implemented 9-point stencil in B2.5 to properly handle misaligned grids. The new scheme is then applied to ﬂuid neutral simulations of a well-diagnosed and previously modeled Alcator C-Mod discharge. Results are compared with the original 5-point scheme neglecting grid distortion effects, as well as with simulations including a full kinetic neutral model. We conclude that the 9-point stencil is essential to correctly model the transport of ﬂuid neutrals on distorted grids, and to capture the effects of divertor closure on the ﬂuid neutral behavior.

Authors:: Dekeyser, Wouter; Bonnin, Xavier; Lisgo, Steven W.; Pitts, Richard A.; LaBombard, Brian

Publication Date:: 2021-06-02

DOE Contract Number:: SC0014264

Research Org.:: Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States). Plasma Science and Fusion Center

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)

Subject:: 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY

OSTI Identifier:: 1882648

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/2HPH8J

Citation Formats


                    Dekeyser, Wouter, Bonnin, Xavier, Lisgo, Steven W., Pitts, Richard A., and LaBombard, Brian. Implementation of a 9-point stencil in SOLPS-ITER and implications for Alcator C-Mod divertor plasma simulations.  United States: N. p., 2021. 
        Web.  doi:10.7910/DVN/2HPH8J.

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                    Dekeyser, Wouter, Bonnin, Xavier, Lisgo, Steven W., Pitts, Richard A., & LaBombard, Brian. Implementation of a 9-point stencil in SOLPS-ITER and implications for Alcator C-Mod divertor plasma simulations.  United States.  doi:https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/2HPH8J

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                    Dekeyser, Wouter, Bonnin, Xavier, Lisgo, Steven W., Pitts, Richard A., and LaBombard, Brian. 2021.  
"Implementation of a 9-point stencil in SOLPS-ITER and implications for Alcator C-Mod divertor plasma simulations".  United States.  doi:https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/2HPH8J.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1882648. Pub date:Wed Jun 02 00:00:00 EDT 2021

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@article{osti_1882648,

  title        = {Implementation of a 9-point stencil in SOLPS-ITER and implications for Alcator C-Mod divertor plasma simulations},

  author       = {Dekeyser, Wouter and Bonnin, Xavier and Lisgo, Steven W. and Pitts, Richard A. and LaBombard, Brian},

  abstractNote = {The SOLPS-ITER code suite is used worldwide for plasma edge modeling, the interpretation of experiments, as well as for the design of the ITER divertor. The numerical scheme of the plasma solver of the code, B2.5, is based on the assumption of perfectly ﬁeld-aligned grids, while in practice grids are often strongly distorted to match divertor target shapes. Neglecting these grid distortion leads to qualitatively and quantitatively incorrect results for ﬂuid neutral simulations, and may affect results in cold (detached) divertors even when using kinetic neutral simulations. In this contribution, we present the ﬁrst results of a newly implemented 9-point stencil in B2.5 to properly handle misaligned grids. The new scheme is then applied to ﬂuid neutral simulations of a well-diagnosed and previously modeled Alcator C-Mod discharge. Results are compared with the original 5-point scheme neglecting grid distortion effects, as well as with simulations including a full kinetic neutral model. We conclude that the 9-point stencil is essential to correctly model the transport of ﬂuid neutrals on distorted grids, and to capture the effects of divertor closure on the ﬂuid neutral behavior.},

  doi          = {10.7910/DVN/2HPH8J},

  journal      = {},

  number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {2021},

  month        = {6}

}

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