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In a world increasingly facing new challenges at the forefront of plasma scientific research and technological innovation, CNR and ISTP pledge progress and achieve an impact in the integration of research into societal practices and policy

Nearing final design of the ITER EC H&CD Upper Launcher

Strauss D.; Aiello G.; Bertizzolo R.; Bruschi A.; Casal N.; Chavan R.; Farina D.; Figini L.; Gagliardi M.; Goodman T.P.; Grossetti G.; Heemskerk C.; Henderson M.A.; Kasparek W.; Koning J.; Landis J.-D.; Leichtle D.; Meier A.; Moro A.; Nowak S.; Pacheco J.; Platania P.; Plaum B.; Poli E.; Ramseyer F.; Ronden D.; Saibene G.; Mas-Sanchez A.; Santos Silva P.; Sauter O.; Scherer T.; Schreck S.; Sozzi C.; Spaeh P.; Vagnoni M.; Vaccaro A.; Weinhorst B.

The ITER ECRH system consists of 24 gyrotrons with up to 24 MW installed millimeter wave heating power at 170 GHz, power supplies, control system, transmission lines, one Equatorial and the four Upper Launchers. With its high frequency and small beam focus the ECRH has the unique capability of driving locally current. While the Equatorial Launcher mainly acts for central heating and current profile shaping, the Upper Launchers aim on suppressing MHD instabilities, especially neoclassical tearing modes (NTM) triggering plasma disruptions. The Upper Launchers inject millimeter waves through a quasi-optical section consisting of three fixed and the front steering mirror set. The eight overlapping beams have focal points optimized for suppression of the q = 3/2 and q = 2/1 NTMs. Several project change requests required the redesign of the Upper Launchers and the connected ex-vessel system. This redesign includes a new boundary geometry of the launchers as well as a newly designed cooling system for the Blanket Shield Module (BSM), a modified flange of the BSM to the structural main frame and a refined optical design. Additionally shield blocks with integrated in-vessel waveguides were added and the closure plate with waveguide and supply line feedthroughs was adapted. Further changes, not all caused by PCRs, include newly designed ex-vessel waveguide components with a reduced aperture and redesigned ultra low-loss CVD diamond windows. Finally several components originally foreseen as off-the-shelf components have become part of the design scope. The new launcher design status is presented with selected results on numerical design validation.

ID 407083
DOI 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2018.11.013
PRODUCT TYPE Journal Article
LAST UPDATE 2022-04-20T09:08:49Z
EU PROJECT EUROfusion
TITLE Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon 2020 through a Joint programme of the members of the EUROfusion consortium
FOUNDING PROGRAM H2020
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