Hutch Neilson

NCSX Project Manager

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

NCSX Research Forum #1

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

December 7, 2006

NCSX Project and Management

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Outline

• NCSX History

• Construction Status

• Plans for Completing Constructionand Starting Research

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NCSX is the Key Element of the U.S. Program to Develop Compact Stellarators, Proposed in 1998

Program Goal• “Develop the knowledge base needed to evaluate compact high-beta

confinement-optimized stellarators as attractive fusion power plants.” –proposal, 1998.

• “Determine the attractiveness of a compact stellarator.” –FESAC, 1999.

Since 1998, all elements of the program have moved forward.

• Stellarator physics development– Theory and international collaboration on stellarators

• Reactor studies– ARIES-CS study now nearing completion.

• Experiments targeting specific issues– HSX (U. Wisconsin), CTH (Auburn U.), QPS (ORNL)

• National Compact Stellarator Experiment (PPPL-ORNL)– Integrated physics test of a compact stellarator configuration.

– NCSX research campaigns to start in 2009.

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NCSX Research Mission

Acquire the physics data needed to assess the attractiveness of

compact stellarators; advance understanding of 3D fusion science.

Understand…• Beta limits and limiting mechanisms.• Effect of 3D magnetic fields on disruptions• Reduction of neoclassical transport by QA design.• Confinement scaling; reduction of anomalous

transport.• Equilibrium islands and neoclassical tearing-mode

stabilization.• Power and particle exhaust compatibility w/good

core performance.• Alfvénic mode stability in reversed shear compact

stellarator.

Demonstrate…• Conditions for high-beta, disruption-free operation.• High , good confinement, compatible w/st. state.

NCSX mission and basic configuration were approved in 2001

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The Stellarator is Being Constructed in Accordance with Mission Requirements

Requirements

• R = 1.4 m, a = 0.3 m

• B = 1.2 - 2.0 T / pulse 0.5 – 2 s.

• Mod coil current center geometry as specified by optimization.

• Plasma configuration flexibility.

• Initial trim coil set.

• Field errors minimized (±1.5 mm coil accuracy, low , low eddy currents, stellarator symmetry)

• Diagnostic and heating port access.

• Embedded magnetic loops.

• VV bakeable to 350 C.

Acceptance Tests at Completion

• First Plasma @ B=0.5 T, IP = 25 kA.

• e-beam mapping @ B= 0.1 T

Project started- April, 2003.

Component fab. started- Oct., 2004

First plasma milestone- July, 2009.

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Coil Design Reduces Field Error Risks

• Robust structural shell

minimizes deflections.

• Toroidal and poloidal breaks

inhibit eddy currents. ≈ 17 ms.

• Winding form stays with the coil

as a permanent structure.

Modular Coil System

Winding

Modular coil winding form

(MCWF)one per coil.

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Winding Forms Are Manufactured to ±0.25 mm Tolerance on Critical Surfaces

All 18 Have Been Cast11 Have Completed Machining and Shipped to PPPL.

“Tee”-shaped winding surface

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• Flexible copper “rope” wound on “tee” winding surface.

• Current center is accurately positioned and secured in place.

• Completed assembly is epoxy-impregnated by VPI.

• Coils are tested for insulation strength, resistance, cooling line leaks.

6 coils have been completed.

Coil Construction Achieves ±0.5 mm Accuracy

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Vacuum Vessel Was Fabricated to ±5 mm Accuracy

All 3 Sectors at PPPL!

Material: inconelLow ( 1.020),

Low eddy currents ( ≈ 3 ms)

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Assembly Activities Have Started

Mounting locations for flux loops and heating/cooling hoses are transferred from CAD model to vessel using laser scanner.

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Coil-to-Coil Fit-Up Tests Have Started

Inboard I.D.Outboard I.D.

• Testing handling and metrology techniques.

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NCSX is On Schedule for July, 2009 First Plasma

Construction Project Budget: $92.4M• Scope is tightly focused on first plasma objectives.

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NCSX Experimental Campaigns Start in FY-09

Research Phases:1. Stellarator Acceptance Testing & First Plasma (Fab. Project)2. Magnetic configuration studies

– electron-beam mapping studies3. Initial Heating Experiment

– 1.5-3 MW of NBI. 0.2- 0.6 MW of ECH.– B 1.2T– Partial PFC coverage

4. High beta Experiments– 6MW heating – B = 2T.– Divertor.

FY-06 FY-07 FY-08 FY-09 FY-10

 Fabrication Project Phase 1 & 2 Equipment 

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FY-11 FY-12 FY-13

1st Plasma

Phase 2 EquipmentFull field, more diags.

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Full PFCs & divertor

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NCSX will operate every other year, alternating with NSTX.

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Research Planning is Consistent WithDOE’s Five-Year Plan (FY07-11)

• NCSX-NSTX planning budgets

• Basis for input to DOE planning and budgets.

Science =ResearchDiagnostic Equipment

Facilities =Construction (ends in 09)Upgrade EquipmentFacility Ops

Alternation Plan Maintains Diversity of Science and Opportunities for Upgrades within Tight Budgets.

NSTX - NCSX National Program Budgets

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13

$M

NSTX

NCSX Science

NCSX Facilities

FY05 FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13

Run WeeksNCSX 6 25 25NSTX 17 11 12 12 12 17 25

Budgets ($M)NCSX

Science 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 6.0 6.5 21.1 10.6 22.4Facilities 17.5 17.0 15.9 15.9 14.0 16.0 24.1 10.5 25.5

NCSX Total 18.2 17.7 16.6 16.6 20.0 22.5 45.2 21.1 47.9NSTX Total 35.2 34.1 35.1 35.1 37.5 38.6 20.4 45.5 21.6NSTX+NCSX 53.4 51.8 51.7 51.7 57.5 61.1 65.6 66.6 69.5

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How NSTX-NCSX Alternation Will Work

• Both NSTX & NCSX Research are national/international collaborations.

– NCSX Research led by PPPL-ORNL partnership

• Joint facility operation staff, alternating between NSTX & NCSX.

• Will share equipment when sensible (some already envisioned).

• Shared research staff

– Most will participate in both experiments, alternating

• U.S. Collaborators that participate on both NSTX & NCSX will increase

efficiency, highly desirable.

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NCSX Research Program Management

NCSX is managed by PPPL and ORNL as partners.• Arrangement has worked well for the construction project.

– Strong institutional support from two DOE Science labs.

• PPPL-ORNL management responsibilities for the research program– Program planning and execution.– Host research collaborations (e.g., human and technical interfaces)– Facility operations (PPPL) and upgrades (PPPL-ORNL).

Research Preparation Tasks• Maintain an up-to-date research plan.• Set hardware requirements and schedules consistent with research goals

and expected funding profiles.• Ensure a cost-effective transition to research operations.• Responsible people:

M. Zarnstorff, Head

R. Maingi, Deputy Head.

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Starting from FY-11, About 1/4 to 1/3 of NCSX Science Will Be Done by Collaborators

Process will be similar to NSTX’s• Annual Research Forums to inform plans and identify collaborator interests.• Project identifies collaboration needs in a “program letter” to DOE.• Proposers & project coordinate to ensure common understanding of requirements. • Proposals go to DOE. DOE decides and provides funding.

Plan• NCSX and NSTX will issue joint program letters, encouraging collaboration on both

experiments.• First NCSX program letter and proposal call are expected in FY08 for funding in

FY09–12. (Note transition to 4-year cycles.)• Limited NCSX collaborations planned for FY09-10. Main focus is FY11 and beyond.• At this Research Forum:

– Project will present its current plans, including envisioned collaborator roles.– Input from the community is sought.

o Feedback on the project’s plans.o Ideas and suggestions, including collaboration interests.o Questions and concerns.

• First NCSX program letter will go out after next year’s Research Forum.

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Summary

• NCSX is being constructed to mission requirements.

• Construction is on schedule for July, 2009 First Plasma.

• Research program planning is under way.

• Goals for this meeting:

– Broaden community involvement in NCSX planning.

– Begin discussing possible collaborations.