Operating a full tungsten actively cooled tokamak: overview of WEST first phase of operation

WEST is an MA class superconducting, actively cooled, full tungsten (W) tokamak, designed to operate in long pulses up to 1000 s. In support of ITER operation and DEMO conceptual activities, key missions of WEST are: (i) qualification of high heat flux plasma-facing components in integrating both technological and physics aspects in relevant heat and particle exhaust conditions, particularly for the tungsten monoblocks foreseen in ITER divertor; (ii) integrated steady-state operation at high confinement, with a focus on power exhaust issues. During the phase 1 of operation (2017–2020), a set of actively cooled ITER-grade plasma facing unit prototypes was integrated into the inertially cooled W coated startup lower divertor. Up to 8.8 MW of RF power has been coupled to the plasma and divertor heat flux of up to 6 MW m−2 were reached. Long pulse operation was started, using the upper actively cooled divertor, with a discharge of about 1 min achieved. This paper gives an overview of the results achieved in phase 1. Perspectives for phase 2, operating with the full capability of the device with the complete ITER-grade actively cooled lower divertor, are also described

Status of the WEST travelling wave array antenna design and results from the high power mock-up

International audienceThis paper presents the current status of the WEST TWA antenna, its mock-up and a possible extrapolation to DEMO. The updated WEST TWA design has a reduced antenna length and features feeding and mechanical support from a single vessel port. A mock-up of the WEST TWA antenna was designed in 2019, manufactured during 2020 and installed in the TITAN test facility at the beginning of 2021. The results of the mock-up at low and high power, its diagnostic system and the prospects are explained. Extensions towards a TWA antenna for WEST and a possible TWA system for the future DEMO tokamak reactor are briefly discussed

Radio-frequency electrical design of the WEST long pulse and load-resilient ICRH launchers

Three new ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) launchers have been designed for the WEST project (W-Tungsten Environment in Steady-state Tokamak) in order to operate at 3 MW/launcher for 30 s and 1 MW/launcher for 1000 s on H-mode plasmas. These new launchers will be to date the first ICRH launchers to offer the unique combination of continuous-wave (CW) operation at high power and load tolerance capabilities for coupling on H-mode edge. The radio-frequency (RF) design optimization process has been carried out using full-wave electromagnetic solvers combined with electric circuit calculations. Cavity modes occurring between the launchers structures and the vacuum vessel ports have been evaluated and cleared out

WEST actively cooled load resilient ion cyclotron resonance heating system results

Three identical new WEST ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) antennas have been designed, assembled then commissioned on plasma from 2013 to 2019. The WEST ICRH system is both load-resilient and compatible with long-pulse operations. The three antennas have been successfully operated together on plasma in 2019 and 2020, with up to 5.8 MW of coupled power. The load resilience capability has been demonstrated and the antenna feedback controls for phase and matching have been developed. The breakdown detection systems have been validated and successfully protected the antennas. The use of ICRH in combination with lower hybrid has triggered the first high confinement mode transitions identified on WEST

WEST actively cooled load resilient ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating system results

International audienceThree identical new WEST Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ICRH) antennas have been designed, assembled then commissioned on plasma from 2013 to 2019. The WEST ICRH system is both load-resilient and compatible with long-pulse operations. The three antennas have been successfully operated together on plasma in 2019 and 2020. The load resilience capability has been demonstrated and the antenna feedback controls for phase and matching have been developed. The breakdown detection systems have been validated and successfully protected the antennas. The use of ICRH in combination with Lower Hybrid has triggered the first high confinement mode transitions identified on WEST