A Robust Design Window for the Heliotron DEMO Reactors

Abstract

According to the achievements in the Large Helical Device (LHD) experiments, a design of a DEMO reactor with a LHD-type heliotron system is foreseeable. On the other hand, a DEMO is the next step reactor and high reliability and feasibility are demanded in its design. In this study, a robust design window, i.e., the design window that is not sensitive to a change in uncertain physics parameters, was surveyed through parametric scans using a system design code. It was found that a difference in main design parameters (major radius, magnetic field strength, fusion output) gives only a small change in a dependence of physics requirements on the physics conditions. Therefore, it is important to find the design window with a lower requirement on the confinement improvement to assure the design robustness. In this respect, a reduction in the minimum inboard blanket space, one of the key parameters in a LHD-type heliotron reactor design, can effectively expand the design window and contributes to the design robustness. An acceptance of higher neutron wall load and an achievement of further high confinement improvement are also expected to make both a DEMO and a commercial reactor to be more feasible and economically attractive.