Abstract
A demonstration fusion power plant (DEMO) producing electricity for the grid at the level of a few hundred megawatts is included in the European Roadmap [1]. The engineering design and R&D for the electron cyclotron (EC), ion cyclotron and neutral beam systems for the DEMO reactor is being performed by Work Package Heating and Current Drive (WPHCD) in the framework of EUROfusion Consortium activities. The EC target power to the plasma is about 50 MW, in which the required power for NTM control and burn control is included. EC launcher conceptual design studies are here presented, showing how the main design drivers of the system have been taken into account (physics requirements, reactor relevant operations, issues related to its integration as in-vessel components). Different options for the antenna are studied in a parameters space including a selection of frequencies, injection angles and launch points to get the best performances for the antenna configuration, using beam tracing calculations to evaluate plasma accessibility and deposited power. This conceptual design studies comes up with the identification of possible limits, constraints and critical issues, essential in the selection process of launcher setup solution.
Highlights
The design of a DEMOnstration Fusion Power Plant includes heating systems as mandatory to achieve controlled burning plasma and reactor relevant conditions
The different Electron Cyclotron (EC) tasks foreseen in demonstration fusion power plant (DEMO) [4] require different deposition locations in the plasma and a defined amount of power
In order to cover all the EC applications a candidate option for DEMO launcher could be based on Remote Steering Antennas (RSA), able to grant a continuous steering range with no movable parts or mirrors in plasma proximity
Summary
The design of a DEMOnstration Fusion Power Plant includes heating systems as mandatory to achieve controlled burning plasma and reactor relevant conditions. In the framework of EUROfusion Consortium activities, the Work Package Heating and Current Drive (WPHCD) is performing the engineering design and R&D for the Electron Cyclotron (EC) [2, 3], Ion Cyclotron (IC) and Neutral Beam (NB) systems for the DEMO reactor. In the present stage of DEMO design, the EC target power to the plasma is 50 MW. The status of a conceptual design study for an EC launcher is here presented, with evaluation of possible antenna options and potentials for multi frequency gyrotrons, launching performance, plasma accessibility, possible integration into port plug and preliminary evaluation of required apertures for antenna assembly. Assisted Breakdown Ramp up and L-H transition Heating Sawtooth control NTM control (q=2;q=3/2) Ramp down
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