A practical approach to modelling the load effects of vertical displacement events and halo currents

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design Vol. 182; p. 113238
• Main Authors: Jackson, Louise, Gawith, James, Bamber, Robert, Lombroni, Riccardo, Scarpari, Mattia, Bunting, Patrick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-09-2022; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Ansys; Electromagnetic analysis; Halo current; MaxFEA; Modelling; ST-40; Vertical displacement event; Vertical loads; ST-40; Vertical displacement event; Halo current; Electromagnetic analysis; MaxFEA; Ansys
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2022.113238

•Efficient estimation of forces caused by vertical displacement events is critical.•Approximating the plasma as a single filament can be sufficient.•In other cases, capturing the shape of the plasma is important.•Forces due to halo currents can be estimated using an Ansys Electric solver.
Modelling the structural effects of vertical displacement events (VDEs) on plasma facing components is critical for component integrity but can be time consuming. In early-stage design, a simple analysis method is useful to compare concepts. This paper describes methods that use the commercially available ANSYS software to obtain estimations of forces and torques on components arising from VDE induced currents and halo currents. The methods will be used to inform the design of in-vessel assemblies on Tokamak Energy Ltd's future machines.