T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

TF1: Physics integration for high performance RFP

Proposals and discussion

T. Bolzonella, A. Canton, M. Zuin

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Motivation: RFX original targets

From Sergio Ortolani’s office

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Motivation

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Motivation

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Task Force 1

“Physics integration for high performance RFP”

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Task Force 1

“Physics integration for high performance RFP”

?

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

A few preliminary comments

Physics integration:o We want to reach all the parameters listed as RFX targets and then integrate them in the same dischargeo To reach this final target we also need to integrate advanced knowledge in different physics areas: wall conditioning and plasma fuelling, edge and core transport, axisymmetric and MHD control (TF2), ...

High performanceo What is plasma performance? o Plasma performance is quantitatively described by few parameters: ,E (E,e+ E,i?), n. we should refer to them... o Note: good confinement is often a necessary but not sufficient condition to get high performance plasmas!

RFPo Of course RFP configuration is our target, but can we improve RFP confinement and performances by operating in other configurations like ULq and tokmak?

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Main areas covered by proposals

Wall conditioning techniques + analysis (LLL, GDC, boronization) 13%

Effects of different particle fuelling techniques 6%

High density 6%

Transport (impurities, cold pulse, LBO) 7%

SHAx triggering (by pellet, by NBI, by n=6,...) 6%

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Main areas covered by proposals

Internal B field meas. by pellets, polarimetry, MSE 9%

Advanced operations (OPCD, OFCD, SSCD+PPCD) 6%

Scalings (dynamo, DRE, turbulence, barrier, very deep and very shallow F, ...) 23%

Low current (m=0, j_parallel, self rotation, ...) 9%

Only a few “operational”: slow ramp-up, He, ...

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Total of approximately 53 proposals submitted to TF1, very comprehensive approach to “physics integration”.Some of them requiring many experimental days.

Interestingly enough, a consistent part of experiments channelled through TF1 requires medium-low Ip.

Remember: 37 operational weeks of commissioning + plasma

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Is it all we need?

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

RFP community integration - 1

F parameter and magnetic fluctuations

m=0

m=1

m=2

Total fluctuation

n≠0

ULq

RFX-mod, M. ZuinRELAX, R. Ikezoe et al., PPCF, 2011

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

RFP community integration - 2

SHAx states

RFX-mod team MST team

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

RFP community integration - 3

Scalings

F. Auriemma

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Activity Program 2011 - 1

RFX-mod and RFP physics fusion science programme for 2011 has two main goals:

Goal #1: Answer the question: “Is the RFP a viable fusion reactor concept?”. Goal #2: Strengthen the role of RFX as a multi-tool facility for advancement of magnetic fusion science and technology.

These goals should be implemented through four projects

Each project can be based on several tasks

We do have an official document on scientific priorities: the 2011 Activity ProgramWe do have an official document on scientific priorities: the 2011 Activity Program

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Activity Program 2011 - 2

Project 1: exploration and understanding of RFX-mod performance at plasma current above 1.5 MA

Task #1: Density and first wall control Task #2: Scenario development Task #3: Physics understanding: data analysis and modeling

Project 2: advancing feedback control of MHD stability in fusion devices

Project 3: fusion physics in a three-dimensional configuration

Project 4: goals and directions for potential upgrades of the RFX experimental facility

Task #1: Analysis of confinement and main plasma parameter scaling laws, based on present experimental data Task #2: Exploration of feasible upgrades to the present RFX-mod device Task #3: Concept studies for major RFX-mod upgrades

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

The role of TF1 and TFL

Share information on program priorities

Optimize the use of experimental timeo Machine time is an extremely precious resource! (remember also Elena’s talk)o Many people work (often on shifts) before/during/after the experimental time. Their work deserve the best respect.o Improve the detail of proposals. Done!o Preparation of the experiments: analysis of existing data, experimental plan, shot preparation, analysis tools.o Note that the last point needs to know the experimental schedule in advance! Will this be the hardest challenge of 2011?

Help, when possible, data analysis and shared publications

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

Commitments for 2011

Assess the effect of wall conditioning on ETB and ITB formation

Assess the effect of F parameter on the maximum density reachable at a given plasma current, if any.

Build an integrated view on different helical quantities: MHD equilibrium, magnetic boundary, temperature, density, flow, ...

Contribute to RFX-mod (and, in general, RFP) scaling database

Advance the experimental knowledge on dynamo mechanism in MH, DHAx, SHAx regimes: can we tame DRE?

Assess the role of m=0 (and m=2?) in RFX-mod magnetic dynamics

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

What is missing?

T. Bolzonella – 9 February 2011 – RFX-mod programme workshop

He plasmas are OK, even if not too many proposals. How about D plasmas in RFX-mod? Would it be possible in 2011?

Similarity experiments? (standard discharges, MST-like PPCD, others,...)

Experiments aiming at clarifying future directions for RFX and RFPs in general

Provocative question: is SHAx the RFP state with the best plasma performances? In MST it is not (yet)...

Probably much more...