Self-consistent modeling of DEMOs with 1.5D BALDUR integrated predictive modeling code

Abstract

Self-consistent simulations of four DEMO designs proposed by teams from China, Europe, India, and Korea are carried out using the BALDUR integrated predictive modeling code in which theory-based models are used, for both core transport and boundary conditions. In these simulations, a combination of the NCLASS neoclassical transport and multimode (MMM95) anomalous transport model is used to compute a core transport. The boundary is taken to be at the top of the pedestal, where the pedestal values are described using a pedestal temperature model based on a combination of magnetic and flow shear stabilization, pedestal width scaling and an infinite- n ballooning pressure gradient model and a pedestal density model based on a line average density. Even though an optimistic scenario is considered, the simulation results suggest that, with the exclusion of ELMs, the fusion gain Q obtained for these reactors is pessimistic compared to their original designs, i.e. 52% for the Chinese design, 63% for the European design, 22% for the Korean design, and 26% for the Indian design. In addition, the predicted bootstrap current fractions are also found to be lower than their original designs, as fractions of their original designs, i.e. 0.49 (China), 0.66 (Europe), and 0.58 (India). Furthermore, in relation to sensitivity, it is found that increasing values of the auxiliary heating power and the electron line average density from their design values yield an enhancement of fusion performance. In addition, inclusion of sawtooth oscillation effects demonstrate positive impacts on the plasma and fusion performance in European, Indian and Korean DEMOs, but degrade the performance in the Chinese DEMO.