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Man-Made Stars: Evaluating Structural Integrity in High Performance Nuclear Fusion Machines for Power Generation
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Predictive Maintenance
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
The primary challenge faced by the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) researchers was to design a compact nuclear fusion machine, the Advanced Divertor eXperiment (ADX), capable of sustaining reactor-level heat fluxes and magnetic fields. The ADX needed to simulate the conditions of a full-scale fusion reactor while being a research and development testbed. The design had to withstand high temperatures, magnetic fields, and plasma disruptions, which are significant sources of stress. Plasma disruptions, particularly vertical displacement events (VDE), pose a severe threat as they generate large eddy currents and Lorentz forces that can cause substantial stress and displacement in the vacuum vessel. The researchers needed to ensure that the ADX could survive these conditions without structural failure.
About The Customer
The MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) is a leading research institution focused on advancing the science and technology of nuclear fusion. The center combines experimental research, cutting-edge theory, and numerical simulation to explore and develop fusion energy solutions. The PSFC's primary objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen fusion as a clean, safe, and practically limitless source of energy. The center has been at the forefront of fusion research for over 50 years, with a particular focus on high magnetic field approaches to fusion. The PSFC's work involves collaboration with researchers, scientists, and engineers to identify and understand the key factors that can accelerate the availability of fusion energy.
The Solution
To address the challenge, the PSFC researchers employed numerical simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics® software to evaluate and optimize the design of the ADX. The proposed design featured a modular vacuum vessel composed of five separate axisymmetric shells, allowing for the testing of different divertor configurations. The divertor serves as the power exhaust system, removing fusion ashes from the tokamak. The modular design also enabled the swapping of magnetic coils to test various configurations. Numerical simulations were conducted to predict the magnetic fields, eddy currents, and Lorentz forces resulting from plasma disruptions. These simulations helped identify the stress and displacement in the vessel, guiding design modifications to reinforce the structure. The vessel components were made from Inconel 625, a strong nickel-based alloy with high resistance to current flow, minimizing eddy currents. The design criteria stipulated that the vessel walls should not experience stresses exceeding two-thirds of the yield stress value. Simulation results indicated that without modifications, the vessel would experience large stresses and displacements. To stabilize the vessel, a support block was added, significantly reducing stress and displacement, ensuring the vessel's ability to survive plasma disruptions.
Operational Impact
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