Material selection for cryogenically cooled toroidal field coils of the COMPASS-U tokamak

Abstract

This article presents a basis for the material selection of toroidal field coils of COMPASS-U, a medium size tokamak currently under construction. The main focus is given to a 0D model which produces temporal evolution of toroidal field coil parameters (e.g. voltage, temperature, energy) during a plasma discharge based on the specification of the coils, materials and power supply system. Linkage of these parameters, together with the design requirements of the tokamak, allows the reduction of design parameters space. The model was used for the selection of copper alloy candidate materials for the coils. Mechanical and electrical material tests and results from the model used to select material candidates are presented.