Lithium coatings on NSTX plasma facing components and its effects on boundary control, core plasma performance, and operation

H. W. Kugel, M. G. Bell, H. Schneider, J. P. Allain, R. E. Bell, R. Kaita, J. Kallman, S. Kaye, B. P. Leblanc, D. Mansfield, R. E. Nygren, R. Maingi, J. Menard, D. Mueller, M. Ono, S. Paul, S. Gerhardt, R. Raman, S. Sabbagh, C. H. SkinnerV. Soukhanovskii, J. Timberlake, L. E. Zakharov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

NSTX high power divertor plasma experiments have used in succession lithium pellet injection (LPI), evaporated lithium, and injected lithium powder to apply lithium coatings to graphite plasma facing components. In 2005, following the wall conditioning and LPI, discharges exhibited edge density reduction and performance improvements. Since 2006, first one, and now two lithium evaporators have been used routinely to evaporate lithium onto the lower divertor region at total rates of 10-70 mg/min for periods 5-10 min between discharges. Prior to each discharge, the evaporators are withdrawn behind shutters. Significant improvements in the performance of NBI heated divertor discharges resulting from these lithium depositions were observed. These evaporators are now used for more than 80% of NSTX discharges. Initial work with injecting fine lithium powder into the edge of NBI heated deuterium discharges yielded comparable changes in performance. Several operational issues encountered with lithium wall conditions, and the special procedures needed for vessel entry are discussed. The next step in this work is installation of a liquid lithium divertor surface on the outer part of the lower divertor.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)865-873
Number of pages9
JournalFusion Engineering and Design
Volume85
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Divertors
  • Lithium
  • Lithium wall fusion regime
  • Plasma wall interactions
  • Recycling
  • Spherical torus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering
  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering

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