Alcator C-Mod Run 1050824 Information

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Miniproposals
Miniproposal:435
Date Filed: 7/29/2005
Title:Long Pulse AT Target Plasma Operation
First Author:Jim Terry
Session Leader:Jim Terry (shots 1-19)

Operators
Session leader(s):Jim Terry
Physics operator(s):Joseph Snipes
Engineering operator(s):Andy Pfeiffer,Gary Dekow

Engineering Operator Run Comment
MP# 435 EO Pierson PO Snipes SL Terry

Session Leader Plans
Entered: Aug 23 2005 06:06:00:573PM
Author: Jim Terry
We will implement MP# 435 "Long Pulse AT Target Plasma Operation".

The main goals of this MP are:
1) to produce a long pulse (multiple L/R times) discharge with
parameters suitable for AT targets, specifically an EDA H-mode
edge at low-to-moderate densities and at moderate to high
auxilliary heating powers;
2) to examine the effects of the long pulse operation on the divertor,
specifically divertor structure temperature excursions and
metal (Mo and W) impurity production;
3) to examine the gas inventory in long pulse operation

Run Plan:
A) Begin with shot 1050708029, but with the following changes
Ip at flattop = 0.6MA (instead of 0.4MA);
Bt=5.0T (instead of 5.4T);
RF power waveform reduced by a factor of 2 (1.3 MW instead of a 2.5 MW peak power) and lengthened to 2.0 sec (Note we want to keep the
initial power rampup);
End-Of-Flattop (EOF) set to 2.0 sec (instead of 1.5s)
Use the B21_PROJ feedback on the A-coil;
Set fizzle detector for ON at 0.08 s and OFF at 2.3 sec, with
the OFF time moved progressively later as the pulse length is
extended.


B) Lengthen the EOF shot-by-shot in increments of 0.5s until
we reach a flux-swing limit/coil temperature limit. (If
I extrapolate the volt-sec consumption of shot 1050708023
during its 0.54MA phase to the OH volt-sec consumption limit
found in the longest pulse to date, i.e. 1010803018, I
"predict" that we may reach ~4.2 sec.) Thus we will probably
use ~5 shots in this pulse-length extension phase.
A possible option at this point is to
reduce the flattop current from 0.6MA to 0.4MA. Monitor
coil temperatures and cooling closely. Monitor divertor
temperatures and metal impurity levels. Monitor gas inventory.

C) At maximum EOF, increase RF power to 2.5MW, though keep the
initial power ramp. At this point we hope to demonstrate a long
pulse with an EDA edge. At this point there is also a decision
point on whether to employ between-shot-boronization to
improve/maintain the H-mode.

D) At maximum EOF and RF power, compare divertor heating and
metal impurity level in the case where the strike points are held
fixed as long as possible and the case where the strike points
are swept.

Physics Operators Plans
Entered: Aug 23 2005 02:49:05:260PM
Author: Joseph Snipes
Physop Plan 1050824

MP#435 Long Pulse AT target

SL: J. Terry
PO: J. Snipes

overnight ECDC in helium

Engineering setup as on 1050708029 but with extended pulse length out to 5 s plasma
Set fizzle delays on TF and OH to zero. Set fizzle detector on at 0.08 s and
off at 2.3 s. Set TF invert time to 4.4 s and all other invert times to 2.5 s.

A-coil configuration: normal [+Dtop -Dbot -Jtop +Jbot] and enabled.
Set CORRECT_COIL on time to 0.2 s and the off time to 2.2 s.

Gas Setup:
fill B-Top with 6 psi D2 Hybrid enabled (PG4)
fill B-side lower with 1 psi Ar Hybrid disabled (PG1)
leave B-side upper alone
fill B-main with 40 psi D2 Hybrid enabled (PG3)


Enable the following: ECE and VUV gate valves, Z-bolo shutters

ICRF Setup: transmitters in run-on at 8:30

Start from 1050708029 but maintaining Ip = 0.6 MA flattop initially out to 2 s, then slowly increasing
shot to shot to 4.5 s flattop. TF will be at 5.0 T. Attempt to get long steady EDA H-modes at low density.
Between shot boronization may also be used.

Session Leader Summaries
Entered: Aug 26 2005 12:45:52:490AM
Author: Jim Terry
We fulfilled many of the goals of the MP (#435), "Long Pulse AT Target Plasma Operation"

1) We produced plasmas of record length (to date) - 3.5 sec EOF, 3.94 sec End-Of-Plasma (EOP)

2) We produced H-modes of record length ~1.7 sec (shots 016 and 019),
although we did not sustain the EDA H-mode edge until the EOF, as desired.

3) Plasma operation was limited by the power supply limits, notably on EF1, not by coil temperatures

4) Moly levels did not rise during the long pulse L-mode plasmas, and did not increase with time within the H-mode phases (though this may not be evidence that the source is not increasing, since confinement is probably the dominant effect). No tungsten was observed in the core.

5) Divertor power fluxes are highly toroidally asymmetric, with leading edges getting much hotter than the average.

6) Most diagnostics successfully extended their observation periods to the 4 s (EOP). (TS was limited to 3.5 sec.)

A shotlist of the important shots is below:
shot EOF(s) EOP(s) H-mode period(s) RF energy input(MJ)
006 3.0 3.47 1.53-2.99 2.97
007 3.5 3.95 3.2-3.5 2.23
008 3.5 3.5 1.47-2.87 4.86
009 3.5 3.5 2.66-2.02 1.74
013 3.5 3.89 - 2.05
016 3.5 3.54 1.4-3.11 4.91
019 (after 1 between-shot boronization)
3.14 3.14 0.68-2.42 3.83

Shot 013 was the shot for which we have the best chance for gas inventory evaluation, since for that shot the gate valves were closed and the plasma disrupted at 130kA in rampdown.

The strike points could not be held fixed after about 1.5 sec (it drifted up the outer divertor plate). IR camera data showed this movement. The points touched by the strike point cooled after the strike point passed, indicating that
in principle strike point sweeping will mitigate divertor temperature rises.

It was also interesting to note that relatively low power shots
transitioned to H-mode quite late, e.g. shot 009 at 2.66 s
when the RF power had been on for almost 2 sec and
was only 0.68 MW at the transition. (See also shot 007.) What are the implications of this for thresholds?

Physics Operator Summaries
Entered: Aug 24 2005 05:15:51:293PM
Author: Joseph Snipes
The run started out well though I had some difficulty getting a complete rampdown without disruption. The setup required for the long pulse shots is very long indeed and prone to mistakes because so many things need to be changed. Still, by shot 4, we had a good rampdown. Shot 7 was the longest shot with a flattop of more than 3 s and a total pulse length of just under 4 s, which is a C-Mod record. Adding substantial RF power actually reduced the achievable pulse length because the density increased greatly during H-mode, which cooled the plasma and increased the volt-s consumption. Still, we were limited more by the shape control with EF1 regularly on its 5 kA rail after 2.8 s. Then, we did a number of shots closing the gate valves for 300 s from INIT until after the pulse. Shot 11 failed due to computer problems and we had to wait until we could find Tom or Josh to resolve them. Shot 12 had a problem with a PF breaker that resulted in no breakdown. Shot 13 ramped nearly all the way down to 3.9 s, but then had a problem with OH2U that led to the disruption in rampdown. Shot 14 had again a problem with OH2U and L that led to no breakdown. Shot 15 then disrupted at 0.69 s apparently due to a more subtle problem with OH2. Shot 16 finally went close to full length but had difficulties with EF1 near the end of the pulse. Then, we boronized for 20 minutes and had difficulty getting breakdown, but the last shot went to 3.09 s before disrupting.

Shot,Duration(s),Ipmax(MA),Result Shot,Duration(s),Ipmax,Result
| 01 2.076 0.598 Plasma | 02 2.031 0.608 Plasma |
| 03 2.520 0.589 Plasma | 04 2.504 0.589 Plasma |
| 05 2.997 0.588 Plasma | 06 3.463 0.588 Plasma |
| 07 3.933 0.587 Plasma | 08 3.505 0.680 Plasma |
| 09 3.158 0.618 Plasma | 10 3.016 0.665 Plasma |
| 11 0.000 0.002 Dud | 12 0.000 0.015 Fizzle |
| 13 3.893 0.580 Plasma | 14 0.000 0.023 Fizzle |
| 15 0.691 0.626 Plasma | 16 3.544 0.664 Plasma |
| 17 0.000 0.024 Fizzle | 18 0.000 0.023 Fizzle |
| 19 3.107 0.706 Plasma
Date 1050824: 19 shots. 14 plasmas. 1 fizzles. 1 duds. 1 System Error.
2 power supply faults.
(Plasma = Ip gt 50.0 kA Dud = H_alpha lt 0.40 V)
Total plasma duration: 40.44 s (exceeding -60 kA)

Session Leader Comments
Aug 24 2005 10:19:18:890AM1050824001Jim TerryEOF at 2.0, then disrupts
RF good - ramping to 1.3 at 1 sec, on thru 2.0 s
gas puff at 1.4 sec - seen by diodes
Strike point is too high - seen on probe 5 before 1.4 s, then moves up to probe 7
IR data good (NUC=1) - definite hot spot
TV cameras ON thru >4.8 sec - hot spots in WIDE1 and JANT
No DANT

Aug 24 2005 10:11:40:890AM1050824002Jim TerryEOF at 2.0, then disrupts
RF good - ramping to 1.3 at 1 sec, on thru 2.0 s
gas puff at 1.4 sec - seen by diodes
runaways early
Strike point is lower - seen on probes and IR
IR data good (NUC=4) - definite hot spot
TV cameras ON thru >4.8 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT
No DANT

Aug 24 2005 10:45:34:937AM1050824003Jim Terryrepeat - trying to get rampdown
EOF at 2.2s, disrupts at 2.5s at 0.3 MA
RF good - ramping to 1.3 at 1 sec, on thru 2.0 s
3 small injections - core Mo low (26 units for 116 A line - it's L-mode), no obvious W.
Strike point is good
IR data good (NUC=4) - definite hot spot on leading edge of module
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT and IR
No DANT

Aug 24 2005 11:51:40:797AM1050824004Jim Terryrepeat - good got thru rampdown
max Volt-sec is 1.83
EOF at 2.0s, end-of-pulse is 2.52 s
RF good - ramping to 1.3 at 1 sec, on thru 1.8 s (as programmed)
Strike point is good -moves up from probe 1 to probe 4 at 2.0 s
Core Mo low (23 units for 116 A line - it's L-mode), no obvious W.
IR data good (NUC=4) - definite hot spot on leading edge of module
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT
No DANT

Aug 24 2005 11:51:13:407AM1050824005Jim Terryattempt to extend EOF to 2.5s - good, got thru rampdown
max Volt-sec is 2.36
short H-mode periods (3 ELMfree) starting at 1.988s
EOF at 2.5s, end-of-pulse is 3.01 s
RF good - ramping to 1.3 at 1 sec, on thru 2.5 s (as programmed)
Strike point is good - moves up from probe 1 to probe 5 at 2.5 s
Core Mo low (24 units for 116 A line - in L-mode), no obvious W.
IR data good (NUC=4) - definite hot spot on leading edge of module
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT
No DANT

Aug 24 2005 11:57:27:733AM1050824006Jim Terryattempt to extend EOF to 3.0s - good, got thru rampdown
EF1_U and EF1_L are railed
max Volt-sec is 3.17
ties a record for EOF
short H-mode periods (starting ELMfree at 1.526s then Type III ELMs or dithers)
EOF at 3.0s, end-of-pulse is 3.47 s
RF good - ramping to 1.3 at 1 sec, on thru 3.0 s (as programmed)
Strike point is good - moves up from probe 1 (until 1.5 s) to probe 7 at 3.0 s
Core Mo low (24 units for 116 A line - in L-mode, 45 in
dithering period), no obvious W.
IR data good (NUC=4) - definite hot spot on leading edge of module
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT
No DANT

Aug 24 2005 01:00:26:267PM1050824008Jim Terryattempt to have H-mode with an EOF of 3.5s at max RF power - good, disrupted at 3.5s
EF1_U is railed
max Volt-sec is 3.76 Vs
H-mode periods starting 1.45 s ending 2.84s EDA or Type III ELMs)
EOF at 3.5s, end-of-pulse is 3.5 s
RF not as programmed - one antenna trips for good at 2.277s, at least 1.0 MW thru 3.5 s
Strike point is OK - but moves up from probe 1 to probe 7 at 3.5 s
Core Mo low (180 units for 116 A line in
H-mode period), no obvious W.
IR data not written to tree (NUC=4) -should have gone thru 4.5 s
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT
There is a timing delay on WIDE1 and JANT

Aug 24 2005 01:30:25:560PM1050824009Jim Terryattempt to repeat of shot 007 in order to do gas inventory test, i.e. gate valves closed
an EOF of 3.17s - disrupted at 3.17s
H-mode periods starting 1.45 s ending 2.84s EDA or Type III ELMs)
EOF at 3.5s, end-of-pulse is 3.5 s
RF good - ramping to 0.7 MW at 1 sec, on thru 3.0 s (as programmed)
Strike point is better, moving less - but moves up from probe 1 to probe 5 at 3.1 s
Core Mo low (25-20 on 116 A line in L-mode phase), no obvious W.
IR data not written to tree (NUC=4)
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT
There is a timing delay on WIDE1 and JANT

Aug 24 2005 04:22:33:230PM1050824010Jim Terryanother attempt to repeat of shot 007 in order to do gas inventory test, i.e. gate valves closed
an EOF of 3.01s - disrupted at 3.01 s
no H-mode
no RF (as programmed)
Strike point is better, moving less - but moves up from probe 1 to probe 5 at 3.0 s
No VUV data
IR data good (NUC=4) - 240 frames seems to work, 250 fails
lots of good dust/specks on IR
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT
There is a timing delay on WIDE1 and JANT

Aug 24 2005 04:24:33:103PM1050824012Jim TerryDud
199 frames of IR data
Aug 24 2005 03:12:05:637PM1050824013Jim Terryanother attempt to repeat of shot 007 in order to do gas inventory test
ramp RF power down, since it seems to be helping in the flux swings, as long as it doesn't go into H-mode.
an EOF of 3.5s - disrupted well into rampdown at 3.89 s
no H-mode
RF to 1 MW at 1. s then rampdown to 0.5 MW by 3.5 s(as programmed)
Max Volt-sec consumption is 3.46 Vs
Early MARFE hurts the OH Vs
Strike point is better, moving less - but moves up from
probe 1 to probe 5 at 3.0 s
VUV data shows OK Moly (30 decreasing to 20 units for the 116 A line in L-mode)
IR data good (NUC=4) - 240 frames
Martin points out the the moving strike point shows within pulse cooling after
strike point has left a given point - demonstrating in principle that strike point
sweeping will alleviate divertor temperature rise.
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT
There is a timing delay on WIDE1 and JANT

Aug 24 2005 04:25:18:310PM1050824014Jim TerryDud
no IR data
Aug 24 2005 04:26:14:823PM1050824015Jim Terryattempt at long pulse with H-mode edge - disrupted at 0.68 s
Early MARFE is gone
IR triggered early (before shot) (NUC=4) - no IR data
There is a problem with OH2L
Aug 24 2005 04:34:05:543PM1050824016Jim Terryattempt to have H-mode with an EOF of 3.5s at max RF power - good, disrupted at 3.54s
max Volt-sec is 3.50 Vs
H-mode periods starting 1.5 s ending 2.84s EDA or Type III ELMs)
EOF at 3.5s, end-of-pulse is 3.54 s
RF not as programmed - E trips repeatedly
Strike point is OK - but moves up from probe 1 to probe 7 at 3.0 s, higher after that
Core Mo low (160 units for 116 A line in
H-mode period - falls after 1.8 sec, but still in H-mode according to the density), no obvious W.
IR data not taken (NUC=4) - PC disk was full
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT (144 frames)
There is a timing delay on WIDE1 (144 frames) and JANT
Aug 24 2005 06:12:29:603PM1050824019Jim Terry20 min of boronization after shot 016
50 cm min/70 cm dwell/103 cm max
attempt to have H-mode with an EOF of 3.5s at 2.0 MW RF power - good, disrupted at 3.14s
H-mode periods starting 0.68 s ending 2.84s
EOF at 3.14s, end-of-pulse is 3.14 s
RF not as programmed - E trips repeatedly
Strike point is OK - but moves up from probe 1
IR data good (NUC=4) - 270 frames
TV cameras ON until 4.175 sec - hot spots/dust on JANT (144 frames)
There is a timing delay on WIDE1 (144 frames) and JANT

Physics Operator Comments
Aug 24 2005 09:19:39:390AM1050824001Joseph SnipesShot 1: Started with shot 1050708029 and set Ip = 0.55 MA and TF current to 139 kA for 5.0 T in flattop with a back porch at 50 kA from 2.35 to 4.39 s. Pulse
length extended to 2.0 s EOF (end of flattop). Setup segment 2 to be a normal pulse but then to switch segments to segment 3 at 1.4 s and then setup segment 3 to have only the tail end of the pulse so that it can be easily extended to longer pulse lengths. nl04 set to 5 x 10^19 m^-2. Setup feedback on the A-coils with B21_PROJ in wire 11. Argon gas puff enabled. Problem with the Thomson scattering shutter holding up the first shot. Problem also with a mechanical timeout timer on the EFC that is set to 4.9 s, which will eventually limit the pulse length.
Aug 24 2005 09:52:17:280AM1050824001Joseph SnipesShot 1: Good shot. Disrupted just after the end of flattop at 2.07 s.
Aug 24 2005 09:56:11:810AM1050824002Joseph SnipesShot 2: Corrected a jump in RXL and RCUR at segment switch at 1.4 s. Lowered
ZXL by 1 cm to -0.01 m in segments 2 and 3. Moved RXL in by 0.5 cm to -0.005 m
in segments 2 and 3. Modified the rampdown to keep it diverted throughout the
rampdown. Good shot, but still disrupted at 2.02 s.
Aug 24 2005 10:22:17:623AM1050824003Joseph SnipesShot 3: Corrected nl04 in segment 2 so that it stays at 5 x 10^19 m^-2 out past
the segment switch. Changed the R and Z of the X points to attempt to keep the
plasma diverted into rampdown. Set RCUR, ZCUR, and CLEARIN integral and
derivative gains out to 5 s. Also, corrected RCUR and ZCUR predictors for CLEAR from 3 s to 5 s. Good shot. Disrupted at 2.52 s.
Aug 24 2005 10:47:19:373AM1050824004Joseph SnipesShot 4: Increased prepuff by 3 ms to 24 ms duration. Added some pre-programmed
gas between 0.05 and 0.1 s to avoid the runaways. Extended all derivative,
integral, and proportional gains out to 5 s even though they were set to zero.
Good shot ramped all the way down.
Aug 24 2005 11:14:36:547AM1050824005Joseph SnipesShot 5: Increased pulse length to 2.5 s EOF. Decreased prepuff to 19 ms duration.
Good shot ramped down to 3 s but more runaways.
Aug 24 2005 11:34:07:670AM1050824006Joseph SnipesShot 6: Increased prepuff by 3 ms to 22 ms duration. Reduced EF4 current by
10 A to -1325 A. Extending EOF to 3.0 s. Good shot. Disrupted in rampdown at
3.45 s.
Aug 24 2005 12:05:43:110PM1050824007Joseph SnipesShot 7: Extended pulse length out to 3.5 s. Added preprogrammed gas from 0.02 s
to 0.2 s in segments 1 and 2 to avoid the runaways. Also increased EF4 current
by 20 A to -1305 A. Good shot. Ramped all the way down to near 4 s.
Aug 24 2005 12:29:12:373PM1050824008Joseph SnipesShot 8: Added 4 ms to the prepuff to 26 ms duration. Removed pre-programmed gas
puff in segment 2. Reduced pre-programmed gas in segment 1. Changed starting
times in segment 3 to 1 s to avoid missing times between segments 2 and 3. Good
shot. Disrupted at 3.5 s.
Aug 24 2005 01:03:47:077PM1050824009Joseph SnipesShot 9: Closing gate valves in INIT and keeping them closed for 300 s after the
shot. So, I've reduced the prepuff by 4 ms back to what it was on shot 7, 22 ms
duration. Put in a ramp in RXL 1 cm inward between 1.4 and 3.5 s and a ramp in
ZXL downward by 1 cm over the same time interval. Disrupted at 3.14 s.
Aug 24 2005 01:21:37:950PM1050824010Joseph SnipesShot 10: Repeat without RF. Disrupted at 3 s.
Aug 24 2005 01:40:04:750PM1050824011Joseph SnipesShot 11: Reloaded shot 7. Put a downward ramp in the RF. No power shot due to
computer problem.
Aug 24 2005 02:12:00:170PM1050824012Joseph SnipesShot 12: Try again. PF breaker pulled at -0.7 s. No plasma.
Aug 24 2005 02:49:15:840PM1050824013Joseph SnipesShot 13: One more time . . . Good shot. Almost made it all the way down.
Disrupted at 3.9 s at 100 kA. PF crowbar from OH2U just before the disruption.
Aug 24 2005 03:20:58:137PM1050824014Joseph SnipesShot 14: Removed once again the pre-programmed gas puff between 0.1 and 0.2 s in
segment 2 and some of the early pre-programmed gas in segment 1. Removed the
back porch on the TF waveform and set the TF invert time to 4.0 s. Dud! All
gate valves closed on shot 13 and were still closed for 14. OH2U and L did not
behave correctly just before breakdown.
Aug 24 2005 03:28:42:323PM1050824015Joseph SnipesShot 15: Try again. Disrupted at 0.69 s. Just barely went. Still a subtle
problem with the OH2s.
Aug 24 2005 04:09:52:090PM1050824016Joseph SnipesShot 16: Try again. Disrupted at 3.54 s. The plasma went double null by 3.2 s.
The EF1 supplies are railed after about 2.8 s.
Aug 24 2005 04:10:25:683PM1050824016Joseph SnipesShot 17: Boronizing for 20 minutes before this shot.
Aug 24 2005 04:44:36:870PM1050824017Joseph SnipesShot 17: Reduced prepuff to 8 ms duration to account for a fresh boronization.
Dud!
Aug 24 2005 04:59:16:247PM1050824018Joseph SnipesShot 18: Increased prepuff to 20 ms duration and reduced EF4 current by 15 A to
-1320 A. Fizzle!
Aug 24 2005 05:10:41:310PM1050824019Joseph SnipesShot 19: Decreased prepuff to 17 ms duration. Disrupted at 3.09 s.

Engineering Operator Comments
ShotTimeTypeStatusComment
109:29:36:063AMPlasmaOk
209:54:01:720AMPlasmaOk
310:19:58:610AMPlasmaOk
410:45:44:030AMPlasmaOk
511:10:08:813AMPlasmaOk
611:30:44:110AMPlasmaOk
712:00:37:593PMPlasmaOk
812:27:17:843PMPlasmaOk
901:00:21:437PMPlasmaOk
1001:17:35:470PMPlasmaOk
1101:34:29:903PMPlasmaBadigor fail no shot
1202:08:18:250PMPlasmaBadOH2L Failed at start
1302:35:57:340PMPlasmaBadOH2u IOC Fault
1403:13:10:480PMPlasmaBadDiagnostic Gate Valve Not Opened To A Fault
1503:25:49:010PMPlasmaBadOH2L Problem with oscillation
1603:49:00:433PMPlasmaOk
1704:40:45:560PMPlasmaOk
1804:53:15:433PMPlasmaOk
1905:05:42:027PMPlasmaOk