Abstract
The Korean Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research has been focused on exploring the key physics and engineering issues for future fusion reactors by demonstrating the long pulse operation of high beta steady-state discharge. Advanced scenarios are being developed with the goal for steady-state operation, and significant progress has been made in high ℓi, hybrid and high beta scenarios with βN of 3. In the new operation scenario called fast ion regulated enhanced (FIRE), fast ions play an essential role in confinement enhancement. GK simulations show a significant reduction of the thermal energy flux when the thermal ion fraction decreases and the main ion density gradient is reversed by the fast ions in FIRE mode. Optimization of 3D magnetic field techniques, including adaptive control and real-time machine learning control algorithm, enabled long-pulse operation and high-performance ELM-suppressed discharge. Symmetric multiple shattered pellet injections (SPIs) and real-time disruption event characterization and forecasting are being performed to mitigate and avoid the disruptions associated with high-performance, long-pulse ITER-like scenarios. Finally, the near-term research plan will be addressed with the actively cooled tungsten divertor, a major upgrade of the NBI and helicon current drive heating, and transition to a full metallic wall.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 112010 |
Journal | Nuclear Fusion |
Volume | 64 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2024 |
Funding
The authors thank all the KSTAR team members for their support. This research was supported by the R&D Program of \u2018KSTAR Experimental Collaboration and Fusion Plasmas Research (EN2401-15)\u2019 through the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE) funded by Government funds.
Funders | Funder number |
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Korea Institute of Fusion Energy |
Keywords
- FIRE-mode
- high beta long pulse
- long ELM-suppression
- machine learning (ML) control algorithm
- tungsten divertor
- virtual KSTAR