NCSX Project Overview

Hutch Neilson,

NCSX Project Manager

For the NCSX Team

NCSX Conceptual Design Review

Princeton, NJ

May 21, 2002

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The National NCSX Team

UCSD, Columbia U., LLNL, ORNL, PPPL

in collaboration with

Auburn, NYU, SNL-A, Texas-Austin, Wisconsin

Australia, Austria, Germany, Japan , Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine

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Stellarators Are Making Great Progress

Large Helical Device (Japan) > 3%.

Te ≈ 10 kev, Ti ≈ 5 keV.enhanced confinement.

2-minute pulses.

Wendelstein 7-X (Germany) (2006)non-symmetric optimized design.

Under construction (operates 2007).

Wendelstein 7-AS

(Germany)

> 3%.

enhanced confinement.

density control & enhanced

performance w/island divertor.

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The U.S. Stellarator Program Has Moved Forward in the Past Year

Helically Symmetric Experiment (U. Wisc.)

• Successful test of quasi-symmetry.

Compact Toroidal Hybrid (Auburn)

• Construction progressing: operates 2003.

Theory Program is Emphasizing Stellarator Physics

• Successful 3D Physics Planning Workshop in January.

• New advances: 3D equilibrium reconstruction code (approved), 3D edge simulation code (proposed collaboration w/ Germany), improved optimizers.

Stellarator Collaborations are Increasing• Participation in LHD and W7-AS experiments.• Theory collaborations with Germany, Japan, Australia.

Stellarator System Studies are in the Plans• ARIES compact stellarator power plant optimization study starts soon.

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U.S. Compact Stellarator Design Efforts (NCSX and QPS) Have Been Successful

Successful Physics Validation Reviews confirmed physics approach.

• NCSX: High-, quasi-axisymmetric test at PoP scale.

• QPS: Quasi-poloidal symmetry, very low aspect ratio at CE scale.

Designed by joint team using common tools.

DOE Approved Mission Need (CD-0) for Both Projects.

• Moved into conceptual design in May, 2001.

FESAC Endorsed NCSX as a Proof-of-Principle Experiment.• Citing potential to resolve reactor issues (steady-state, disruptions) and advance the

physics of 3D magnetized plasmas.

• “These gains earn for the compact stellarator an important place in the portfolio”

DOE Requested $11.8M in FY-2003 Budget Submission to Initiate

NCSX Project Starting this October.• Also, an increase for QPS conceptual design in FY-03, aiming for an -04 start.

The Compact Stellarator is Becoming a Reality.

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The NCSX Mission Supports OFES Program Goals:Fusion Solutions, Plasma Science

1. Acquire physics knowledge needed to evaluate the compact stellarator as a fusion concept.

• Passively stable without active feedback; no disruptions.

• Steady state with no recirculating power for current or rotation drive.

• Enhanced confinement compatible with power & particle exhaust.

• Low aspect ratio (≤4.4) and high beta (≥ 4%) high power density.

Addresses FESAC / IPPA Milestone: “Determine attractiveness of a CS”

2. Advance understanding of 3D plasma physics for fusion and basic science. Effects of…

• Rotational transform sources (internal vs external),

• 3D plasma shaping,

• Magnetic quasi-axisymmetry, and

• 3D edge,

… on toroidal physics: equilibrium, stability, transport, boundary.

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The NCSX Conceptual Design Effort Has Produced a Sound Basis on Which to Proceed

NCSX Conceptual Design Report documents…

• Design

• Plans

• Cost and schedule

• Management

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A Conceptual Design Meeting NCSX Mission Requirements Has Been Developed

• Magnets provide required physics properties (stability, surface quality,

quasi-axisymmetry), are practical to build, and can be assembled over

vacuum vessel.

• Provides access for heating, diagnostics, pumping, first wall, personnel.

• Delivers required physics flexibility, startup scenario, B-field strength,

current, and pulse length with adequate engineering margins (structural,

thermal, thermo-hydraulic).

• Risk mitigation measures are being taken. Manufacturing studies by

industry were especially valuable:

– High interest in modular coils and vacuum vessel by capable suppliers.

– Their feedback improved our designs, fabrication plans, and estimates.

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NCSX Plasma and Magnets

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Vacuum Vessel

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Completed Stellarator Core

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NCSX Will Be Sited in the PLT / PBX-M Test Celland re-use PBX-M Neutral Beams and Vacuum Pumps

Designed to accept all 4 beams; 2 will be installed at first plasma.

Site is being cleared now with excess facilities disposal funds.

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NCSX Also Uses D-Site Facilities

TFTR TEST Cell(NCSX sub-

assembly area)

NCSX Test Cell

D-Site Power Supplies (NCSX

Magnets)

NCSX Control Room

NCSX Magnet Power Cables

D-Site Motor-

Generators

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Fabrication Project Scope: Equipment Needed at First Plasma and Installation of 2 Existing Neutral Beams

Stellarator Core (R = 1.4 m). • External magnets, vacuum vessel, limiters, cryostat.Peak ratings: B ≤ 2 T, Ip ≤ 350 kA. tflat =  0.3 s @B=1.7 T / 1.7 s @B=1.2 T

Heating, Fueling, Vacuum (Auxiliary Systems)• Neutral beam injection (3 MW) installed; gas injection, torus vacuum

pumping, glow discharge cleaning.

Diagnostics• Magnetics, interferometer, visible cameras, magnetic field mapping equip.

Power Systems• Magnet power for B = 1.5 T, Ip = 154 kA scenario; C–site AC power.

Central I&C• Facility control and timing, computer network, data acquisition, control room.

Facility Systems• Water, cryogenics, bakeout.

Integrated System Testing and First Plasma

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Project Cost is Estimated to be $72M

Contingencies are estimated at the subsystem level, based on

technical, cost, and schedule risk factors.

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PPPL Overhead Rates Were Approved in the Past Week

Slight changes from assumptions at press time. Bottom line unchanged.

Current estimate will be presented.

Costs in $M

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Fabrication Project Can Be Completed by March, 2007

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Project Funding Requirements for Mar. ’07 1st Plasma

Funding drivers:• FY-03: design and mfg. development for critical components • FY-04: award major fabrication contracts.

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5.00

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20.00

25.00

30.00

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Fiscal Year  

Contingency Incl. in B/A & B/O

B/O (Spending Planned - $72M)

B/A (Funding Needed - $72M)

B/A (DOE Guidance - $69M)

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Research Preparations Will Proceed in Parallel with the Fabrication Project

Scope: prepare analytical and hardware tools needed beyond first

plasma and flux-surface mapping. (Follows NSTX approach.)

• Maintain physics connections, collaborations with other stellarator programs.

• Design and begin fabrication of upgrade hardware (diagnostics for Ohmic phase;

PFCs, 350 C bake, internal trim coils, and diagnostics for NBI phase).

• Plan research program in more detail and start building team as operation nears.

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NCSX Program Funding Requirements FY03-06

Funding peak = $21.1M (vs DOE guidance of $18.6M).• Completes project on desired schedule (March, 2007), ready to proceed

with research program.

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5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Fiscal Year   

Research PrepEstimate

NCSX Program Total(DOE Guidance)

NCSX Program Total

Fab. Project B/AEstimate

* Operations funding starts in FY-2007.

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The Project Organization is Functioning Well

• DOE / Contractor “Integrated Project Team” is working well.– Members from DOE-PAO, DOE-OFES, PPPL, ORNL.

– Has met at least monthly since 2000.

– Planned PVR and this review. Prepared DOE acquisition documents.

• Successful PPPL-ORNL partnership will continue.– Has worked well since 1998, developed physics basis, conceptual design.

– Responsibilities for fabrication project are clearly defined.

– Strong upper management support at both Labs.

• Will follow management approach that has been successful in PPPL–managed fusion projects, e.g., TFTR D&D, NSTX.

– Central project management and work authorization system.

– All procurement and QA / QC support through PPPL.

– Line management responsible for E.S.&H.; supported by E.S.&H. professionals.

– Approved (and proven) PPPL procedures for doing work safely.

– NCSX Project Execution Plan issued as part of Conceptual Design Report.

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NCSX Project Organization

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DOE Acquisition Process: Next Step is CD-1, July, ’02• CD-1 deliverables are in preparation. Most, including draft Acquisition

Execution Plan, are included in C.D.R.

• NEPA process is under way.

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Production of Modular Coils and Vacuum VesselNeeds to Start Early in FY-04 to Maintain Schedule

Project Schedule:

• Perform preliminary design, final design, and manufacturing development for these components in FY–03.

• Conduct DOE Preliminary Design Review of NCSX in May, 2003.

– Review overall design maturity and establish performance baseline for CD-2.

• Start procurement process for modular coil production late in FY-03.

• Award production contracts for modular coil forms (Nov. ’03), vessel (Apr. ’04).

CDs for these components need to be advanced to stay on schedule.

• At CD-1 (July, ’02), we need authorization (“CD-2”) to be able to start F.D. of the modular coils (March,’03) and vacuum vessel (May, ’03).

• At CD-2 (June, ’03), we need authorization (“CD-3”) to be able to start production of the modular coils and vacuum vessel.

• At CD-3 (April, ’04), we need approval to begin fabrication of remaining components.

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Summary / Preview : Status of NCSX

• The NCSX conceptual design provides a sound technical basis on which to proceed.

• Physics and engineering analyses show that the design meets mission requirements with adequate margins (Charge #1 and #2).

• Manufacturer input has boosted confidence in the constructability of the design, R&D plans, manufacturing plans, and estimates. (#2)

• Bottoms-up estimates show the project can be completed by March, 2007 at a cost of $72M, with reasonable contingencies (#3).

• A successful project organization is well established. The management plans for NCSX follow proven models for safe and successful project execution (#3, #4).

• Research preparations and plans are commensurate with needs. (#5)

• PVR issues have been resolved, commensurate with needs. (#1)