Study on the Heat Absorption Coefficient of Tungsten as the Plasma-Facing Material for the Upgraded EAST Lower Divertor

Abstract

Divertor is one of the key plasma-facing components (PFCs) for Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) since they play important roles in resisting the energetic particle irradiation and huge heat deposition from the core plasma as well as efficaciously dispelling such energy load. Tungsten is used as the plasma-facing material for PFCs due to the excellent properties. During the thermal analysis and the high heat flux test of the PFCs, the heat absorption coefficient is an important parameter that directly affects the availability and reliability of the design structure. Previous studies have shown that there is a large deviation in the measured heat absorption coefficient of tungsten. Therefore, it is very important to accurately measure the heat absorption coefficient of tungsten. In this article, the heat absorption coefficient of tungsten was tested by the e-beam device of the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP). In this test, 36 sets of inlet and outlet water temperature data were obtained by changing the water flow rate and the incident heat flux. The heat absorption coefficient of tungsten was calculated by the theoretical calculation using water calorimetry. The results indicate that the heat absorption coefficient of tungsten is stable at ~0.54, which can be used as a reference for the engineering design of PFCs of the upgraded EAST lower divertor. All test parameters for EAST will provide important reference and guidance to the next-generation fusion facility China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR).