Simulation of Rotating Asymmetric Sideways Forces during Vertical Displacement Events in CFETR

Abstract

Abstract Tokamak plasmas with elongated cross sections are susceptible to vertical displacement events (VDEs), which can damage the first wall via heat flux or electromagnetic (EM) forces. We present a 3D nonlinear reduced magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of CFETR plasma during a cold VDE following the thermal quench, focusing on the relationship among the EM force, plasma displacement, and the n = 1 mode. The dominant mode, identified as m/n = 2/1, becomes destabilized when most of the current is contracted within the q = 2 surface. The displacement of the plasma current centroid is less than that of the magnetic axis due to the presence of SOL current in the open field line region. Hence, the symmetric component of the induced vacuum vessel current is significantly mitigated. The direction of the sideways force keeps a constant phase approximately compared to the asymmetric component of the vacuum vessel current and the SOL current, which in turn keep in-phase with the dominant 2/1 mode. Their amplitudes are also closely associated with the growth of the dominant mode. These findings provide insights into potential methods for controlling the phase and amplitude of sideways forces during VDEs in the future.