Modelling of ELM dynamics for DIII-D and ITER

Abstract

A model for integrated modelling studies of edge localized modes (ELMs) in ITER is discussed in this paper. Stability analyses are carried out for ITER and DIII-D equilibria that are generated with the TEQ and TOQ equilibrium codes. The H-mode pedestal pressure and parallel current density are varied in a systematic way in order to span the relevant parameter space for specific ITER plasma parameters. The ideal MHD stability codes, DCON, ELITE and BALOO, are employed to determine whether or not each ITER equilibrium profile is unstable to peeling or ballooning modes in the pedestal region. Several equilibria that are close to the marginal stability boundary for peeling and ballooning modes are tested with the NIMROD non-ideal MHD code. When the effects of finite resistivity are studied in a series of linear NIMROD computations, it is found that the peeling–ballooning stability threshold is very sensitive to the resistivity and viscosity profiles, which vary dramatically over a wide range near the separatrix. When two-fluid gyro-viscous and Hall effects are included in NIMROD computations, it is found that harmonics with high toroidal mode numbers are stabilized while the growth rate of harmonics with low toroidal mode numbers are only moderately reduced. When flow shear across the H-mode pedestal is included, it is found that linear growth rates are increased, particularly for harmonics with high toroidal mode numbers. In nonlinear NIMROD simulations, ELM crashes produce filaments that extend out to the wall in the absence of flow shear. When flow shear is included, the filaments are dragged by the fluid and sheared off before they extend to the wall.