Steady-state Capability Research Articles

Conceptual design of a liquid-metal divertor for the European DEMO

Liquid metal (LM) divertors are considered for the European DEMO reactor, because they may offer improved performance compared to the tungsten monoblock concept. The goal of this work is to provide a concept design, and explore the limitations of liquid metal divertors. To this end, a set of design requirements was formulated in close collaboration with the EUROfusion Power Plant Physics and Technology team (responsible for the design of the EU-DEMO). Tin was chosen as the preferred liquid metal, because unacceptable Tritium retention issues arise when lithium is used in DEMO. A concept design was then chosen that consists of water cooled pipes that are square on the outside and round on the inside, a corrosion barrier, and a 3D-printed porous tungsten armor layer filled with liquid tin. The porous armor layer acts as a Capillary Porous System (CPS). The design was analyzed using thermo-mechanical FEM simulations for various armor thicknesses and heat sink materials: Densimet, W/Cu composites, and CuCrZr. The highest heat loading capability achieved is 26.5 MW/m2 in steady state (18.9 MW/m2 when taking into account a safety margin of 1.4). This is achieved using a CuCrZr pipe, with a 1.9 mm thick armor. When increasing the armor layer to 3 mm thick, more than 80 MW/m2 can be withstood during slow transients thanks to vapor shielding, but at the same time the steady-state capability is reduced to 18 MW/m2. Resilience against disruptions cannot yet be proven, but is deemed within the realm of possibility based on estimates regarding the behavior of vapor shielding. This should be further investigated. Overall, the concept is considered a significant improvement compared to the original specifications (which are also the specifications to the tungsten monoblocks: 10 MW/m2 in steady state, and ∼20 MW/m2 during slow transients). Moreover, the possibility of withstanding disruptions is regarded as a potentially major improvement.

An Adaptive Feed-Forward Phase Locked Loop for Grid Synchronization of Renewable Energy Systems under Wide Frequency Deviations

Synchronization is a crucial problem in the grid-connected inverter’s control and operation. A phase-locked loop (PLL) is a typical grid synchronization strategy, which ought to have a high resistance to power system uncertainties since its sensitivity influences the generated reference signal. The traditional PLL catches the phase and frequency of the input signal via the feedback loop filter (LF). In general, to enhance the steady-state capability during distorted grid conditions generally, a filter tuned for nominal frequency is used. This PLL corrects large frequency deviations around the nominal frequency, which increases the PLL’s locking time. Therefore, this paper presents an adaptive feed-forward PLL, where the input signal frequency and phase under large frequency deviations are tracked precisely, which overcomes the above-mentioned limitations. The proposed adaptive PLL consists of a feedback loop that reduces the phase error. The feed-forward loop predicts the frequency and phase error, and the frequency adaptive FIR filter reduces the ripples in output, which is due to input distortions. The adaptive mechanism adjusts the gain of the filter in accordance with the supply frequency. This reduces the phase and frequency error and also decreases the locking time under wide frequency deviations. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive feed-forward PLL, the system was tested under different grid abnormal conditions. Further, the stability analysis has been carried out via a developed prototype test platform in the laboratory. To bring the proposed simulations into real-time implementations and for control strategies, an Altera Cyclone II field-programmable gate array (FPGA) board has been used. The obtained results of the proposed PLL via simulations and hardware are compared with conventional techniques, and it indicates the superiority of the proposed method. The proposed PLL effectively able to tackle the different grid uncertainties, which can be observed from the results presented in the result section.

A hybrid Finite Element-Statistical Energy Analysis method for impulsive and transient loading

The hybrid approach coupling Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) and the finite element method has become a prominent technique for analysing structures under steady-state loads in the ‘mid-frequency’ range where some components behave in a deterministic manner with low modal density and others in a statistical manner with high modal density and statistical overlap. In this paper, the method is extended from its current steady-state capability to provide calculation of structural responses under impulsive and time-varying loads. Similar to the steady-state method, a system is split into deterministic components that are modelled using the finite element approach and statistical components that are modelled as SEA subsystems.An evolutionary spectrum approach based on the Priestley description of random processes is applied to model the response of both the SEA and deterministic components which are coupled by considering a power balance between the SEA subsystems. The diffuse field reciprocity relationship that relates the reverberant forces generated by a subsystem to the energy within it is explored under transient conditions where it is found that it can be important to account for the build-up of a reverberant field following an impulse. Results from the method are compared against finite element simulations for a system of plates coupled by a beam and it is found to generate predictions with the accuracy expected of an SEA-based method, although deterministic oscillations of the deterministic system at early times are not accounted for.

Three-Phase Saturated-Core Fault Current Limiter

The saturated-core fault current limiter (SFCL) is widely used to limit the fault current. However, in the conventional SFCL structure, alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) coils are wound on different loosely coupled cores. Owing to the leakage inductance, the traditional structure demonstrates relatively large demand for DC excitation power and excessive impedance during saturation. In this study, a new structure for winding closely coupled DC and AC coils on the same core in three phases is proposed to reduce the influence of leakage reactance on the SFCL performance. The leakage magnetic flux generated by both structures is analyzed by performing finite element analysis simulations and utilizing a magnetic field division method. The impedance of the limiter is measured at different DC currents and air gaps to optimize its dynamic performance. A fabricated prototype of the proposed limiter exhibits smaller steady-state losses and high current-limiting capability.

Engineering Challenges in W7-X: Lessons Learned and Status for the Second Operation Phase

In 2015, the optimized stellarator Wendelstein 7-X stellarator (W7-X) started with operation. The main objective of W7-X is the demonstration of the integrated reactor potential of the optimized stellarator line. An important element of this mission is the achievement of high heating power and high confinement in the steady-state operation. The approach to this mission is the following three steps. First, plasmas were produced in a limiter configuration [operation phase (OP 1.1)], then a test divertor unit is being installed (temporary divertor unit) for the next campaign, OP 1.2, before the full steady-state capability will be achieved implementing active cooling of all in-vessel components and a steady-state high heat-flux divertor. In December 2015, the first helium plasma was generated using electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH), in February 2016, the working gas was switched to hydrogen. The first OP (OP 1.1) was successfully finished in March 2016. At the end of OP 1.1, the discharge duration was close to 6 s, the limit for the integrated heating power was increased to 4 MJ and electron temperatures of ~10 keV were achieved. Due to the low densities in the range of 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">19</sup> cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-3</sup> and the pure electron heating by ECRH, the ion temperatures reached only 2 keV. At present, W7-X is undergoing the next completion phase, including the installation of the test divertor unit, the installation of the carbon tiles on the inner plasma vessel wall, an upgrade of existing diagnostics, and the installation of new diagnostics. This paper discusses the first operational phase, lessons learned and implemented, and the status before the start of the second OP (OP 1.2).

A Control Strategy of a Single-phase H6-type Grid-connected Inverter with Low Harmonic Current

In order to reduce the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the grid-connected current caused by the high-frequency switching of the inverter, this paper combines the high efficiency single-phase H6-type inverter with LCL filter. The double closed-loop control method that consists of grid-connected current outer loop and capacitor current inner loop is put forward, by which a resonance peak of a low damping LCL filter is eliminated. In the grid-connected current outer loop, quasi proportion resonant (QPR) controller is adopted to overcome the steady-state error and weak anti-jamming capability in traditional PI controller. Finally, a simulation model is built in SIMULINK to verify the research. The simulation results show that, based on the single-phase H6-type inverter and LCL filter, the double closed-loop QPR control strategy can achieve the static error free tracking control of grid-connected current, which makes the system more stable and reduces the THD of grid-connected current effectively.

Load-Flow Modeling of the Integrated Bundle-Controlled Line Impedance Modulator

This paper presents the load-flow modeling and steady-state capabilities of the bundle-controlled line impedance modulator (LIM). This distributed flexible ac transmission system device is under development for the management of power flows. In particular, this paper presents the back-to-back interconnection of two bundle-controlled line segments. The LIM configuration is very interesting from an economic and operational point of view: it enables continuous control of the transmission-line impedance from its standard value up to 1.64 p.u. and, as a result, the power flow can be reduced smoothly.

Modeling and Analysis of a Heat Transport Transient Test Facility for Space Nuclear Systems

The purpose of this study was to design a robust test facility for a small space nuclear power system and model its physical behavior under different scenarios. The test facility will be used to simulate a 1- to 10-kW(electric) nuclear reactor, its electrical generation, and heat removal capabilities. This simulator will be used to explore, test, and understand the steady-state and transient operation capabilities of small space nuclear power systems. Currently, the system is planned to operate on a variable, electrical heat source directly connected to heat pipes. The heat pipes are to be stainless steel with a water working fluid. These heat pipes will then be connected to a power conversion simulator or actual power conversion technologies. The power conversion simulator is connected to a radiator using a water-based heat pipe network using fins and connecting plates in a cylindrical geometry. Modeling of the facility was performed using the SolidWorks Flow Simulation package. Flow Simulation was used to analyze startup, heat pipe failures, and loss of power conversion with the end goal of finding safe operational transient scenarios for the transient test facility.

Well-Balanced Scheme for Modeling Open-Channel and Surcharged Flows in Steep-Slope Closed Conduit Systems

AbstractThe model presented in this paper preserves lake at rest conditions in sloped prismatic conduits. These schemes are based on the two-governing equation model in which open-channel flows are simulated using the Saint-Venant equations and pressurized flows using the compressible water hammer equations. The model in this paper preserves lake at rest conditions (horizontal still water) regardless of the conduit slope, resolves moving jump discontinuities over dry beds in sloped conduits, and resolves small perturbations from steady states, even when adjacent to dry regions. The preserving steady-state capability of this model is of particular importance in continuous long simulations when the conduits are relatively steep (|So|>∼0.5%. Two main contributions are presented in this paper, namely, (1) a new method for water stage reconstruction is presented that preserves lake at rest conditions regardless of the pipe slope, and (2) a horizontal system of coordinates, instead of the commonly used inclined...

Steady-state operating conditions of very long EHVAC cable lines

In the present paper the authors investigate steady-state capabilities of very long EHVAC underground cable lines, without intermediate compensating stations, installed in meshed networks. Analytical formulas of cable length-loading relationship are presented to this purpose. The study shows that, in optimal operating conditions, most of the ampacity of such long underground cable lines can be exploited for active power transmission. Non-optimal operating envelopes are studied, showing the effect of terminal voltages and line losses on cable utilization and evidencing limited derating under realistic hypotheses. A parametric analysis of loading limits and possible voltage violations along the cable is shown; a simple criterion for optimal utilization of lossy cable lines is also proposed. Line-end shunt compensation requirements for integration of long EHVAC cable lines in transmission networks are then specified. Studies performed for both ideal and real cables and shunt reactors show that active power transmission of 100 km long, 400 kV–50 Hz underground cable lines can attain 90% of their thermal limit, without intermediate compensating stations. Excess reactive power and temporary overvoltages are effectively controlled by line-end compensation around 90%.

Steady-state Capabilities for Hydroturbines with OpenFOAM

The availability of a high quality open source CFD simulation platform like OpenFOAM offers new R&D opportunities by providing direct access to models and solver implementation details. Efforts have been made by Hydro-Qubec to adapt OpenFOAM to hydroturbines for the development of steady-state capabilities. This paper describes the developments that have been made to implement new turbomachinery related capabilities: multiple frames of reference solver, domain coupling interfaces (GGI, cyclicGGI and mixing plane) and specialized boundary conditions. Practical use of the new turbomachinery capabilities are demonstrated for the analysis of a 195-MW Francis turbine.

ECRH-Related Technologies for High-Power and Steady-State Operation in LHD

The electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) system on the Large Helical Device (LHD) has been in stable operation for ~11 yr in numerous plasma experiments. During this time, many upgrades to the system have been made, such as reinforcement of the gyrotron tubes, modification of the power supply depending on gyrotron type, and increase in the number of transmission lines and antennas. These efforts allow the stable injection of millimeter-wave power in excess of 2 MW. In parallel, various transmission components were evaluated, and antenna performance was confirmed at a high power level. The coupling efficiency of the millimeter wave from the gyrotron to the transmission line and the transmission efficiency through the waveguide were further improved in recent years. The feedback control of the wave polarization has also been tried to maximize the efficiency of wave absorption. The gyrotron oscillation frequency was reconsidered in order to extend the flexibility of the magnetic configuration in plasma experiments. The development of 77-GHz gyrotrons with the output of 1 MW per few seconds in a single tube is currently taking place in collaboration with the University of Tsukuba. Two such gyrotron tubes already have been installed and were used for plasma experiments recently. An ECRH system with a capability of the steady operation is required, because the LHD can continuously generate confinement magnetic fields using superconducting magnets. Not only the gyrotron but also the transmission system and components must withstand continuous power operation. Further acceleration of both the power reinforcement and a steady-state capability will allow the sustainment of high-performance plasmas.

Steady-state capabilities for hydroturbines with OpenFOAM

The availability of a high quality Open Source CFD simulation platform like OpenFOAM offers new R&D opportunities by providing direct access to models and solver implementation details. Efforts have been made by Hydro-Québec to adapt OpenFOAM to hydroturbines for the development of steady-state capabilities. The paper describes the developments that have been made to implement new turbomachinery related capabilities: Multiple Frame of Reference solver, domain coupling interfaces (GGI, cyclicGGI and mixing plane) and specialized boundary conditions. Practical use of the new turbomachinery capabilities are demonstrated for the analysis of a 195-MW Francis hydroturbine.

Development of Advanced Pellet Injector Systems for Plasma Fueling

Two types of solid hydrogen pellet injection systems have been developed, and plasma refueling experiments have been performed using these pellet injectors. One is an in-situ pipe-gun type pellet injector, which has the simplest design of all pellet injectors. This in-situ pipe-gun injector has 10 injection barrels, each of which can independently inject cylindrical solid hydrogen pellets (3.4 and 3.8 mm in diameter and length, respectively) at velocities up to 1,200 m/s. The other is a repetitive pellet injector with a screw extruder, which can form a 3.0 mmφ solid hydrogen rod continuously at extrusion rates up to 55 mm/s. This extruder allows consecutive pellet injection up to 11 Hz without time limit. Both of these pellet injectors employ compact cryo-coolers to solidify hydrogen; therefore, they can be operated using only electrical input instead of a complicated liquid helium supply system. In particular, using a combination of the repetitive pellet injector with cryo-coolers provides a steady-state capability with minimum maintenance.

ECRH for W7-X: Transmission Losses of High-Power 140-GHz Wave Beams

Electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) is the main heating system for W7-X. A 10-MW ECRH plant with continuous wave (cw) capability is under construction to support the W7-X operation, which aims at demonstrating the steady-state capability of stellarators at reactor-relevant plasma parameters. The ECRH system consists of ten radio-frequency (rf) modules with 1 MW power each at 140 GHz. The rf beams of the individual gyrotrons are transmitted in common to the W7-X torus via open multibeam mirror lines. The losses of individual components of the transmission system were measured with both low- and high-power methods. Integrated full-power, cw measurements of the long-distance transmission losses are reported and compared to theoretical design estimates.

Electron Cyclotron Heating for W7-X: Physics and Technology

The Wendelstein 7X (W7-X) stellarator (R = 5.5 m, a = 0.55 m, B < 3.0 T), which at present is being built at Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, Greifswald, aims at demonstrating the inherent steady-state capability of stellarators at reactor-relevant plasma parameters. A 10-MW electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) plant with continuous-wave (cw) capability is under construction to meet the scientific objectives. The physics background of the different heating and current drive scenarios is presented. The expected plasma parameters are calculated for different transport assumptions. A newly developed ray-tracing code is used to calculate selected reference scenarios and optimize the electron cyclotron launcher and in-vessel structure. Examples are discussed, and the technological solutions for optimum wave coupling are presented. The ECRH plant consists of ten radio-frequency (rf) modules with 1 MW of power each at 140 GHz. The rf beams are transmitted to the W7-X torus (typically 60 m) via two open multibeam mirror lines with a power-handling capability, which would already satisfy the ITER requirements (24 MW). Integrated full-power, cw tests of two rf modules (gyrotrons and the related transmission line sections) are reported, and the key features of the gyrotron and transmission line technology are presented. As the physics and technology of ECRH for both W7-X and ITER have many similarities, test results from the W7-X ECRH may provide valuable input for the ITER-ECRH plant.

Progress in the 10-MW ECRH System for the Stellarator W7-X

Summary form only given, as follows. Electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) has proven during the last few years to be one of the most attractive heating schemes for stellarators, as it provides net current free plasma start tip and heating. Extensive measurements on stellarators at IPP Garching provide a solid physical and technological basis for ECRH systems. Therefore, ECRH will be the main heating method for the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator (W7-X) now under construction at Greifswald / Germany. A 10 MW ECRH system with continuous wave (CW) possibilities operating at 140 GHz will be built to meet the scientific goals of the stellarator at Greifswald with inherent steady-state capability at reactor relevant plasma parameters. A prototype gyrotron with an output power of 1 MW was developed in collaboration between European research laboratories, and European industries. The gyrotron is equipped with a single stage depressed collector for increasing the efficiency, an optimized quasi-optical mode converter and a CVD-diamond window. The prototype gyrotron has been successfully tested with an output power of 0.89 MW at a pulse duration of three minutes and all output power of 0.54 MW for about 15 minutes. The specified value of Gaussian beam output power exceeding 0.9 MW has been obtained for about 1 minute. Further results will be given.

20 years of ECRH at W7-A and W7-AS

Basic research on high-power ECRH started 20 years ago at IPP using 28 GHz pulses with 200 kW for 40 ms at the W7-A stellarator. These pilot experiments triggered a strong activity of exploration of the unique capabilities of localized heating and current drive. The achievements in physics were strongly linked with progress in source and transmission line technology. The capability and versatility of ECRH are reviewed using W7-A and W7-AS as example experiments; the latter was shut down on July 31, 2002. The milestone achievements are discussed. Standard heating scenarios such as O-mode and X-mode as well as advanced scenarios like mode-conversion heating via the O–X–B process at different harmonics were investigated and selected results are presented. First experiments with current drive by Bernstein-waves are reported. The physics of wave interaction with stellarator-specific trapped particle populations is discussed. The results from W7-A and W7-AS establish the experimental and technological bases for the 10 MW, CW ECRH system at W7-X, which aims to demonstrate the inherent steady-state capability of stellarators.

Status of the Tokamak Physics Experiment

The Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX) is planned to develop the scientific basis for an economically competitive and continuously operating tokamak fusion power source. It has been designed to have steady-state operating capability, sufficient performance to produce reactor-like plasma configurations, and a flexible set of steady-state plasma controls. Active plasma control (e.g., current profile control, shape and position control, passive and active MHD mode stabilization, and toroidal rotation control) is a key to achieving steady state tokamak operating conditions with enhanced beta and confinement, efficient current drive, high purity, and high reliability. Inductive scenarios and steady-state operating modes with current-drive have been studied to determine the system requirements for access and maintenance of advanced steady-state modes. Industry contractors have begun detailed engineering design of the superconducting magnets, vacuum vessel, and plasma-facing components. 8 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.

The design of a 200 MW interphase power controller prototype

The paper addresses the practical design aspects of a 200 MW prototype for the interconnection of two synchronous 120-kV networks that are close to their short-circuit limits. The interphase power controller is a new concept for the control of active and reactive power; it uses only standard components connected in an original manner. The paper gives the results of EMTP simulations for the conditions governing the design of the components. The significant steady-state and transient capabilities of the components are given as well as insulation coordination and protection aspects. Finally, a preliminary layout is presented for the prototype. >