Comsol Case Studies Man-Made Stars: Evaluating Structural Integrity in High Performance Nuclear Fusion Machines for Power Generation

	Man-Made Stars: Evaluating Structural Integrity in High Performance Nuclear Fusion Machines for Power Generation Comsol

Man-Made Stars: Evaluating Structural Integrity in High Performance Nuclear Fusion Machines for Power Generation

Comsol

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
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. Read More
About 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. Read More
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. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

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

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 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.

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.

Impact #1	The modular design of the ADX vacuum vessel allows for flexibility in testing different divertor configurations and magnetic coils.
Impact #2	Numerical simulations provided critical insights into the stress and displacement experienced by the vessel, guiding necessary design modifications.
Impact #3	The use of Inconel 625 material ensured high resistance to current flow, minimizing eddy currents and enhancing the vessel's structural integrity.

Impact #1

The modular design of the ADX vacuum vessel allows for flexibility in testing different divertor configurations and magnetic coils.

Impact #2

Numerical simulations provided critical insights into the stress and displacement experienced by the vessel, guiding necessary design modifications.

Impact #3

The use of Inconel 625 material ensured high resistance to current flow, minimizing eddy currents and enhancing the vessel's structural integrity.

Benefit #1	The ADX design can withstand plasma currents of 1.5 million amperes and toroidal field strengths of 6.5 Tesla.
Benefit #2	Simulation results showed that without modifications, the vessel would experience stresses approaching the yield value and 1-centimeter deflections.
Benefit #3	The addition of a support block reduced stress and displacement to within acceptable limits, ensuring structural stability.

Benefit #1

The ADX design can withstand plasma currents of 1.5 million amperes and toroidal field strengths of 6.5 Tesla.

Benefit #2

Simulation results showed that without modifications, the vessel would experience stresses approaching the yield value and 1-centimeter deflections.

Benefit #3

The addition of a support block reduced stress and displacement to within acceptable limits, ensuring structural stability.

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Overview

Man-Made Stars: Evaluating Structural Integrity in High Performance Nuclear Fusion Machines for Power Generation

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit