Simulations of the field-reversed configuration with the NIMROD code

• Published in: Journal of fusion energy Vol. 26; no. 1-2; pp. 113 - 117
• Main Authors: MACNAB, A. I. D, BARNES, D. C, MILROY, R. D, KIM, C. C, SOVINEC, C. R
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01-06-2007; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Boundary conditions; Conduction heating; Conductive heat transfer; Configurations; Controled nuclear fusion plants; Electric fields; Electrons; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Experiments; Heat; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Magnetic fields; Magnetic flux; Physics; Simulation; Velocity; Viscosity; Viscosity; Plasma; Nuclear fusion reactor; Innovation; 3D MHD simulation; Instability; extended MHD; Boundary condition; Standards; Field-reversed configuration; Thermal conduction
• ISSN: 0164-0313; 1572-9591
• DOI: 10.1007/s10894-006-9070-1

The recently formed Plasma Science and Innovation Center (PSI-Center) is refining the NIMROD code to simulate field-reversed configurations (FRCs). The NIMROD code can resolve highly anisotropic heat conduction and viscosity. This, combined with its ability to include two-fluid effects, allows us to capture more detailed physics than previous calculations. Some initial simulations are focused on 2D (n = 0 only) non-linear two-fluid simulations. We present initial validations of a translating FRC and note good conservation of density and magnetic flux. As a validation of the effects of anisotropic thermal conduction, we present a comparison of an FRC with standard thermal transport to one with anisotropic conduction. Two-fluid simulations are shown which produce significant spin-up due to the end-shorting boundary condition. Finally, simulations of the tilt instability are presented, which show that Hall physics significantly retards, but does not eliminate the growth rate.