The enhanced pellet centrifuge launcher at ASDEX Upgrade: Advanced operation and application as technology test facility for ITER and DEMO

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design Vol. 96-97; pp. 155 - 158
• Main Authors: Ploeckl, B., Day, Chr, Lamalle, Ph, Lang, P.T., Rohde, V., Viezzer, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-10-2015
• Subjects: Centrifuge launcher; Centrifuges; Control systems; DEMO; Design engineering; Erosion; Heating; Pellet fuelling; Pellets; Solid fuels; Tokamak; Tokamak; Pellet fuelling; Centrifuge launcher; DEMO
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2015.01.006

The pellet centrifuge at ASDEX Upgrade has served for more than 20 years as a powerful tool for plasma control. Its recently enhanced control system provides more thorough control over parameters and a detailed view of all measured values. A study has recently been initiated on the conceptual design of an optimized DEMO core particle fuelling system. For this approach, first technical tests aimed on an optimized pellet transfer with respect to the preparation of the solid fuel and the transfer systems have been performed.
An investigation of the temperature dependence of transfer efficiency (mass loss due to erosion and broken pellets) has revealed a weak dependence. For ITER, in which it is intended to operate a heating scheme with ICRF minority heating of He-3, test injections are performed using D2-pellets as carriers for He-4. Admixing of N2 was investigated as well.