Engineering topics

Ke, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Ke, R..

4 records

DOE OSTI2024

Recent advance progress of HL-3 experiments

Since the first plasma realized in 2020, a series of key systems on HL-3 (known as HL-2M before) tokamak have been equipped/upgraded, including in-vessel components (the first wall, lower divertor, and toroidal cryogenic/water-cooling/baking/glow discharge systems, etc.), auxiliary heating system of 11 MW, and 28 diagnostic systems (to measure the plasma density, electron temperature, radiation, magnetic field, etc.). Magnet field systems were commissioned firstly for divertor plasma discharges. During the 2nd experimental campaign of HL-3 tokamak, several great progresses have been achieved. Firstly, the successful operation with plasma current larger than 1 MA was achieved under a divertor configuration. Secondly, the advanced divertor concept with two distinct snowflake configurations was realized. It is found that the distribution of ion saturation current and heat flux on bottom plate becomes wide due to magnetic surface expansion, demonstrating the advantage of such configuration in the heat flux mitigation. In addition, using the combination of NBI, ECRH and LHCD, the standard sawtoothing high confinement mode of megampere plasma was firstly accessed on the HL-3. The successful commissioning of HL-3 is beneficial for the initial operation of ITER.

1 MA plasma↗

DOE OSTI2023

How turbulent transport broadens the heat flux width: local SOL production or edge turbulence spreading?

This paper uses data from limited HL-2A Ohmic-plasma to answer the question of how turbulent transport broadens the heat flux width. A key issue in this study is the determination of the origin of scrape-off layer (SOL) turbulence. We develop the concept of the energy production ratio ${R_a}$, which compares the flux of turbulence energy across the last closed flux surface (LCFS) to the net, integrated energy production in the SOL. The flux of turbulence energy (i.e. spreading) is measured directly, using Langmuir probes. Experimental data is used to evaluate ${R_a}$. Results show that usually ${R_a} > 1$, indicating that SOL turbulence is energized primarily by edge turbulence spreading. The exceptions—cases where ${R_a} < 1$—are those with relatively stronger ${\mathbf{E}} \times {\mathbf{B}}$ shear near the LCFS. The latter inhibits both turbulence spreading and local SOL production, but has greater effects on spreading. High blob fraction in the turbulence correlates with large values of ${R_a}$. The implications for heat flux width physics are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Electrode biasing maintains the edge shear layer at high density in the J-TEXT tokamak

Collapse of the edge flow shear as the line-averaged density approaches the Greenwald density limit has been observed as a precursor to the enhanced edge particle flux characteristic of proximity to the density limit regime. Here, we report the use of a biased electrode to sustain the edge shear layer in high density discharges, in which the shear layer would otherwise collapse. A stable increase in line-averaged density is observed along with a strong increase in edge density. These experiments were carried out on the J-TEXT tokamak. The Reynolds stress at the edge is enhanced, and the zonal flow sustained, while density perturbation levels, the flux of turbulence internal energy (i.e., turbulence spreading), and particle and heat flux all decrease significantly. Electron adiabaticity increases, and bias voltage modulation experiments show that an increase in the edge shear leads the increase in adiabaticity. Furthermore, these results suggest that external edge E × B flow shear drive may be of interest for sustaining edge plasma states at high density, and support the hypothesis that collapse of the edge shear layer triggers the onset of the strong transport and turbulence characteristic of the density limit regime.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

Enhanced particle transport events approaching the density limit of the J-TEXT tokamak

Enhanced particle transport events are discovered and analyzed as the density limit of the J-TEXT tokamak is approached. Edge shear layer collapse is observed and the ratio of Reynolds power to turbulence production decreases. Simultaneously, the divergence of turbulence internal energy flux (i.e. turbulence spreading) increases, indicating that shear layer collapse triggers an outward spreading event. Studies of correlations show that the enhanced particle transport events are quasi-coherent, and manifested primarily in density fluctuations which exhibit positive skewness. Furthermore, electron adiabaticity emerges as the critical parameter which signals transport event onset. For α < 0.35 as density approaches the Greenwald density, both turbulence spreading and density fluctuations rise rapidly. Taken together, these results elucidate the connections between edge shear layer, density fluctuations, particle transport events, turbulence spreading and plasma edge cooling as the density limit is approached.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗