155 research outputs found
A novel flexible field-aligned coordinate system for tokamak edge plasma simulation
Tokamak plasmas are confined by a magnetic field that limits the particle and heat transport perpendicular to the field. Parallel to the field the ionised particles can move freely, so to obtain confinement the field lines are âclosedâ (ie.form closed surfaces of constant poloidal flux) in the core of a tokamak. Towards, the edge, however, the field lines intersect physical surfaces, leading to interaction between neutral and ionised particles, and the potential melting of the material surface. Simulation of this interaction is important for predicting the performance and lifetime of future tokamak devices such as ITER. Field-aligned coordinates are commonly used in the simulation of tokamak plasmas due to the geometry and magnetic topology of the system. However, these coordinates are limited in the geometry they allow in the poloidal plane due to orthogonality requirements. A novel 3D coordinate system is proposed herein that relaxes this constraint so that any arbitrary, smoothly varying geometry can be matched in the poloidal plane while maintaining a field-aligned coordinate. This system is implemented in BOUT++ and tested for accuracy using the method of manufactured solutions. A MAST edge cross-section is simulated using a fluid plasma model and the results show expected behaviour for density, temperature, and velocity. Finally, simulations of an isolated divertor leg are conducted with and without neutrals to demonstrate the ion-neutral interaction near the divertor plate and the corresponding beneficial decrease in plasma temperature
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Models and applications of the UEDGE code
The transport of particles and energy from the core of a tokamak to nearby material surfaces is an important problem for understanding present experiments and for designing reactor-grade devices. A number of fluid transport codes have been developed to model the plasma in the edge and scrape-off layer (SOL) regions. This report will focus on recent model improvements and illustrative results from the UEDGE code. Some geometric and mesh considerations are introduced, followed by a general description of the plasma and neutral fluid models. A few comments on computational issues are given and then two important applications are illustrated concerning benchmarking and the ITER radiative divertor. Finally, we report on some recent work to improve the models in UEDGE by coupling to a Monte Carlo neutrals code and by utilizing an adaptive grid
The Biology of the Cytolethal Distending Toxins
The cytolethal distending toxins (CDTs), produced by a variety of Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, are the first bacterial genotoxins described, since they cause DNA damage in the target cells. CDT is an A-B2 toxin, where the CdtA and CdtC subunits are required to mediate the binding on the surface of the target cells, allowing internalization of the active CdtB subunit, which is functionally homologous to the mammalian deoxyribonuclease I. The nature of the surface receptor is still poorly characterized, however binding of CDT requires intact lipid rafts, and its internalization occurs via dynamin-dependent endocytosis. The toxin is retrograde transported through the Golgi complex and the endoplasmic reticulum, and subsequently translocated into the nuclear compartment, where it exerts the toxic activity. Cellular intoxication induces DNA damage and activation of the DNA damage responses, which results in arrest of the target cells in the G1 and/or G2 phases of the cell cycle and activation of DNA repair mechanisms. Cells that fail to repair the damage will senesce or undergo apoptosis. This review will focus on the well-characterized aspects of the CDT biology and discuss the questions that still remain unanswered
Observation of sawtooth redistribution of non-thermal, confined alpha particles in TFTR DT discharges
Sustainable design of biorefinery processes: existing practices and new methodology
Nowadays, eco-designing products is increasingly practiced. The next challenge for sustain- ability is to optimize production processes. Biorefi neries are particularly concerned with this improve- ment, because they use renewable resources. To identify the contribution of transformation processes to the overall environmental impacts, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) appears as the adequate method. A literature review highlights that LCA is mainly performed on biorefi neries to compare biomass feed- stocks between them and to a fossil reference. Another part of environmental LCA compares the impacts of different processing routes. Nevertheless, these evaluations concern already designed pro- cesses. Generally, processes are considered as a unique operation in assessments. However, some criteria like operating can notably modify environmental burdens. The eco-design of biorefi nery pro- cesses can be guided by coupling process simulation to LCA. This method has been emerging in the chemical sector in recent years. Consequently, this paper proposes a new methodological approach to assessing the complete sustainability of biorefi nery processes, since its fi rst design stages. In addi- tion to coupling process simulation and environmental LCA, the other pillars of sustainability will be assessed. Indeed, Life Cycle Costing and Social Life Cycle Assessment can be performed to obtain an integrated methodological framework. The simultaneous optimization of the environmental, economic, and social performances of the process can lead to antagonist ways of improving. Consequently, compromises should be realized. Thereby, the multi-objective optimization can be accomplished by a metaheuristic method supported by a decision-making tool. Finally, the main limits of this method and some perspectives and ways for improving are discussed
An energy efficient Swedish pulp and paper industry â exploring barriers to and driving forces for cost-effective energy efficiency investments
REFLECT â Research flight of EURADOS and CRREAT: Intercomparison of various radiation dosimeters onboard aircraft
Aircraft crew are one of the groups of radiation workers which receive the highest annual exposure to ionizing
radiation. Validation of computer codes used routinely for calculation of the exposure due to cosmic radiation
and the observation of nonpredictable changes in the level of the exposure due to solar energetic particles, requires continuous measurements onboard aircraft. Appropriate calibration of suitable instruments is crucial,
however, for the very complex atmospheric radiation field there is no single reference field covering all particles
and energies involved. Further intercomparisons of measurements of different instruments under real flight
conditions are therefore indispensable.
In November 2017, the REFLECT (REsearch FLight of EURADOS and CRREAT) was carried out. With a
payload comprising more than 20 different instruments, REFLECT represents the largest campaign of this type
ever performed. The instruments flown included those already proven for routine dosimetry onboard aircraft
such as the Liulin Si-diode spectrometer and tissue equivalent proportional counters, as well as newly developed
detectors and instruments with the potential to be used for onboard aircraft measurements in the future. This
flight enabled acquisition of dosimetric data under well-defined conditions onboard aircraft and comparison of
new instruments with those routinely used.
As expected, dosimeters routinely used for onboard aircraft dosimetry and for verification of calculated doses
such as a tissue equivalent proportional counter or a silicon detector device like Liulin agreed reasonable with each other as well as with model calculations. Conventional neutron rem counters underestimated neutron
ambient dose equivalent, while extended-range neutron rem counters provided results comparable to routinely
used instruments. Although the responses of some instruments, not primarily intended for the use in a very
complex mixed radiation field such as onboard aircraft, were as somehow expected to be different, the verification of their suitability was one of the objectives of the REFLECT. This campaign comprised a single short
flight. For further testing of instruments, additional flights as well as comparison at appropriate reference fields
are envisaged. The REFLECT provided valuable experience and feedback for validation of calculated aviation
doses
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