Alcator C-Mod Run 930728 Information

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Session Leader:Brian Labombard (shots 1-27)

Operators
Session leader(s):Brian Labombard
Physics operator(s):Steve Fairfax
Engineering operator(s):Frank Silva,David Gwinn

Engineering Operator Run Comment
Fairfax/Labombard run

Session Leader Plans

Physics Operators Plans

Session Leader Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 03:49:08:087PM
Author: To Be Determined

From: BRIGHT::LABOMBARD
Date: 29-JUL-1993 12:31:47
Description: Physics Summary for 930728 Run

The purpose of this run was to achieve part of the objectives stated
in MP#016 - "Scrape-off Layer Characterization I." For this run, we were
looking to set up a series of reproducible limited discharges to carefully
insert the fast-scanning probe. The immediate goal was to record the scrape-off
layer plasma characteristics (density, temperature, potential profiles) up to
the last closed flux surface (LCFS).
The fast-scanning probe currently reaches R=.74m, Z=-.27m at the end of
full insertion (vertical scan). In order for the probe to reach the LCFS in a
limited discharge, we needed to bring the plasma down and out to the probe.
Still, we wanted to keep the scrape-off layer in primary contact with
the inner limiter (or in the case of elongated discharges, on the upper
and lower divertor tiles). Consequently, the RF limiter and antenna were
moved back to R=.95m and R=.98m respectively.
The first few shots were spent trying to switch over to the A-side
piezo valve as the primary fill/pulse valve (faster time response). The valve
did not behave very well (too long to stabilize fill pressure) and eventually
we had to go back to the B-side upper valve. We fiddled around with loop
voltage, fill pressure, Br feedback programming, coil temperatures (EF4), until
finally we got our first plasma on shot 14. Does anyone really know why?
Plasma shots where 14,16,17,18,19,24,25. The scanning probe was progressively
inserted until by shot 24 it was fully inserted. We effectively got two good
data shots. Also, starting at shot 18, we started moving the plasma position
down and out over the time span of approx 200 to 280 msec. By shot 25 we had
achieved about a -2.3 cm vertical movement of the current centroid. Kappa was
about 1.3 at these times.
The raw probe data on shot 25 looks reasonable. We should be able to
get density and temperature profiles. Also I think we have the data to test
the triple-probe's ability to record Te. However, in order to do this we need
to get back to writting data analysis software. We had a problem with one of
the four probe elements on the scanning probe - perhaps an intermittent short.
This also needs to be looked at. I think the most positive result of this run
was the reliable operation of the scanning probe. It appears that we can
probe the scrape-off layer (at least in these 400 kA plasmas) without any
noteable heating of the probe head. The TV monitor showed no 'afterglow' of
the probe. No spectroscopists pointed any fingers at us for causing moly
injection events (and you know how they enjoy doing this!). Also rough
estimates of peak heat fluxes on the probe head appear to be well below
1MW/m2 (current safety limit of 350MW/m2), although we have yet to reach
the LCFS (we are still a couple cm out).

Physics Operator Summaries
Entered: Jul 7 2004 04:36:50:253PM
Author: To Be Determined
The purpose of this run was to produce a series of identical shots for
progressive insertion of the scanning plasma Probe.

Brian Lambombard Session Leader
Steve Fairfax Physics Operator
Frank Silva Engineering Operator (morning)
Dave Gwinn Engineering Operator (afternoon)
Joan Orvosh State
Jeff Paranay Power
Joe Sorci Aux. Systems

The fill gas was from B side upper port, but the pulsed gas was changed from
B-side to A-side to take advantage of the faster response from this valve.
The A-side programming (m-out 16, gas3) was copied from the B-side upper
trace. A 10-volt offset was added because the A-side valve seems to require
slightly higher voltages for the same throughput.

Shot 1 was gas puff from B-side upper
Shot 2 was gas puff from A-side with the B-side upper providing fill
There was almost no gas from the A-side valve
Shot 3 was gas puff from A-side with the A-side providing fill
This provided about 3x pressure, with response about 15 msec later
There was a 5-8 minute delay waiting for the fill pressure to stabilize.
The valve required over 45 volts to open, then filled the chamber to the
high 10-4 range. The pressure oscillated with light damping for 3 or 4
cycles before settling at 8e-6. Piezo voltage 38.77
Shot 4 was plasma attempt with fill and puff from A-side. The program for the
A-side valve was delayed 15 msec and dropped 10 volts.
Extended delay for gas fill again; settled at 38.02
Fizzle
It appears that the extended time in INIT allowed the EF1 coils to warm
up. Since the pre-commutation charge current is controlled with
proportional gain only, the increased EF1 resistance resulted in
slightly lower EF1 currents; about 4670 amps vs 4800 yesterday with
the same programming. The field null had a better index than yesterday;
perhaps too much.
Shot 5 DUD plasma attempt
Gas valve still not responding with 38 volt offsett; requires 42 volts
to open
recycle to RECOOL; load 930727029 into hybrid; switch gas fill to
B-side upper with A-side pulsing late in shot
no flash
Currents are slightly different; I strongly suspect that running with
CRYO ready bit bypassed is altering the magnet initial conditions enough
to cause these changes
Shot 6 plasma attempt delayed 25 minutes to allow all coils to cool enough
DUD to get CRYO ready bit
no flash
Shot 7 plasma attempt: I had lowered the OH2 demand voltage from -20 to -40
volts after 8 msec in order to raise the loop voltage and increase
the index. The breakdown was late; I raised the fill pressure to
1.0E-5 for shot 8.
Fizzle;
Turned off radial field control from -1 msec to +50 msec
Shot 8 Fizzle;
Breakdown was at 8 msec rather than 10 msec
changed OH1 program from -50 to -250 volts between 8 and 24 msec
Shot 9 Fizzle;
much better loop voltage; more light, but no go.
lower gas back to 8x10-6
Shot 10 Fizzle;
lower gas to 6.4x10-6
Shot 11 Fizzle; breakdown later, 1 bit more plasma current
changed OH1 and OH2 programming to be in sync,
changed pulse on loop voltage to 5 msec from 8 msec
put gas back at 8.0E-6
Shot 12 Fizzle
Shot 13 Fizzle
Shot 14 Plasma! Nothing touched.
Shot 15 Fizzle! Lowered OH1 demand after commutation from -150 to -100;
Lowered OH2 demand after commutation from -20 to -10
Shot 16 Plasma. Increased OH1 drive from 200 to 350 msec from 0 volts to -200 V
Added step in Z_cur at 240-250 msec -2 cm until 400 msec
Shot 17 Plasma Changed Z_cur step to -200 to -250 msec
terminated discharge starting at 350 msec
deleted late b-side gas puff at 350 msec
increased OH drive somewhat
Shot 18 Plasma Increased OH1 drive 30 volts more
changed z step to 170-300 msec
increased OH2 drive 20 volts
Shot 19 Plasma Nice shot
Shot 20 Dud. Looks as if gas fill may not have been correct.
Changed R_cur to step from -.638 to .65 at t=.17 to .3 seconds
Did not mess with initial conditions
Shot 21 Dud. Fill was 7.2E-6. Changed to 9E-6
Changed EF3 program from +100 to -100 volts 200-350 msec
Changed EF3 program from 100 to 1200 volts 350 to 500 msec
Trying to terminate discharge without disrupting on limiter
Shot 22 Fizzle Set TF start from -1.5 to to -1.65 seconds.
Set TF current from 149 to 141 kA
TF was 4.9 out of 5.1 Tesla at breakdown; I suspect that a few
kA variation in the TF is chaning our null. The TF magnet
resistance trace shows that the last 3 shots the magnet has
been about 10-15 degrees warmer than previously.
Shot 23 Dud Set TF to 143 kA
Raise gas pressure to 1.2E-5 Torr
Shot 24 Plasma Changed nothing. Nice 400 kA flat-top with <200 kW radiated
Shot 25 Plasma Good shot.
Changed Z excursion to -4 cm. Sharpened transition to 2 msec
instead of 10 msec.
Couldn't load it. Changed put Z excursion back to 3 cm,
Changed R demand pulse from .65 to .67 cm
Shot 26 Fizzle Fields at breakdown have changed some, reason unknown.
The commutation resistors show slightly higher values, as one
would expect from heating. The EF1L resistor show a DECREASE;
This is unlikely.
Shot 27 Fizzle


Final Score: 3 Tests
12 Fizzles
5 Dud
7 Plasma Shots (.292 of Plasma Attempts)
0 Engineering Failures


Session Leader Comments
Jul 28 1993 08:56:26:370AMBrian LabombardTodays run will focus on MP#016 - scrape-off layer characterization.
Session leader: Brian LaBombard, Physics Operator: Steve Fairfax, Engineers:
Frank Silva, Dave Gwinn.
We are looking for a series of reproducible discharges (?) to insert (carefully) the
fast-scanning probe. In order to allow the probe to reach the last closed flux
surface, we will need to produce elongated (kappa approx 1.4), limited discharges.
The RF limter is moved to R=.95 and antenna to R=.98 to give us bigger plasmas.
We will start with the programming for shot 930727029, trying to extend the
equilibrium at about 150msec to longer. The probe needs 100msec or so 'flat-top'
for good data.

Jul 28 1993 08:58:39:680AM930728001Brian LabombardGas pulse test shot using B-side upper gas pulse valve. We will keep the same gas
fill and try to get the A-side valve to produce the same response.

Jul 28 1993 09:29:28:840AM930728002Brian LabombardAnother gas pulse shot - this time using the same programming that was on B-side
upper on A-side valve.

Did not repeat previous gas pulse.

Jul 28 1993 09:44:26:780AM930728003Brian LabombardAnother gas pulse shot - using the same gas programming on A-side valve
but also prefilling through A-side valve.

There was a bit of delay in waiting for fill pressure to stablize.

Jul 28 1993 10:27:08:190AM930728004Brian LabombardTrying for plasma. The A-valve gave us (on shot 3) gas at about 10msec earlier than
the B-valve did with the same programming. Also, the A-valve results in a factor of 2
or so more gas. We are delaying the gas pulse by 15 msec and dropping the piezo
voltage program by 10 volts.
Slight delay - EF4 needed more LN2 flow to cool - this resulted in a slight leak (mass 28
on RGA). The pump was subsequently backed off. The leak resealed.
Also a slight delay wainting for fill pressure to stabilize. Piezo voltage 38.02

Flash only.

Jul 28 1993 10:53:59:030AM930728005Brian LabombardA-side valve takes too long to settle for fill pressure. Changing back to B-side
for both fill and pulsed gas. Reloaded 930727029.

no flash

Jul 28 1993 11:25:53:120AM930728006Brian LabombardTry again - same settings (mumble some magic words)
This time we waited for EF4 to be below -165C. (Before, we had bypassed it.) The hope is
is to get the coils at a repeatable temperature to minimize variations between shots
from resistance changes.

Flash only.

Jul 28 1993 11:59:53:400AM930728007Brian LabombardChanging OH2-U and L program from -20.0 volts at 10 to 26 msec to -40.0 volts over
same time range - looking for more loop voltage.
Gas fill is still at 8.0e-6

Flash

Jul 28 1993 12:19:12:770PM930728008Brian LabombardChanging gas fill is still at 1.0e-5
Turned off Br feedback control over time range 0 to 50msec.

Brighter (?) flash only (more gas)

Jul 28 1993 12:38:22:890PM930728009Brian LabombardChanging OH1 program over range 8-24msec from -50 to -250 volts.

Flash (a very expensive flash lamp)

Jul 28 1993 12:56:24:330PM930728010Brian LabombardLowered fill pressure to 8.0e-6

flash only

Jul 28 1993 01:06:35:740PM930728011Brian LabombardLowered fill pressure to 6.4e-6

Flash

Jul 28 1993 01:26:46:710PM930728012Brian LabombardRaised fill pressure back to 8.0e-6
Change OH1 and 2 voltage programming to provide higher loop voltage earlier:
OH1-> -50 volts at 5msec (changed from 8msec)
OH2U&L -> -250 volts at 5msec (changed from 10msec)

Change EF3 program to -3000 at -1msec

Flash - looks like it almost went?

Jul 28 1993 01:53:20:320PM930728014Brian LabombardChange OH1& 2 programming: Reduce program voltages at 5msec
OH1 -> -250 changed to -150
OH2 -> -40 changed to -20
Fill Pressure same at 8.0e-5

We got plasma!! Hard X-rays also.

Jul 28 1993 01:59:34:780PM930728015Brian LabombardDon't touch those dials. Same conditions.

Flash

Jul 28 1993 02:25:13:350PM930728016Brian LabombardChange OH1&2 programming: at 5 msec
OH1 -> from -150 to -100
OH2 -> from -20 to -10

Got plasma.

Jul 28 1993 02:42:15:550PM930728017Brian LabombardChange OH1 programming: 200 to at 350 msec, change program to -200
attempt to hold current up

240 to 400msec: Step Z_CUR down 2 cm


Good Plasma.

Jul 28 1993 03:03:23:500PM930728018Brian LabombardTweeked OH1 programming for flatter current.
Stepped Z_CUR down 2 cm from 210 to 400msec.
Turned off B-port gas puff at 350msec.

Got plasma. Some injections?

Jul 28 1993 03:18:52:280PM930728019Brian LabombardStepped Z_CUR down 2 cm from 180 to 400msec.
Increase OH2 drive to avoid divertor and keep plasma current constant.

Plasma, nice current flat-top

Jul 28 1993 03:29:10:430PM930728020Brian LabombardStepped Z_CUR down 3 cm from 180 to 275msec.


Flash only.

Jul 28 1993 03:40:52:650PM930728021Brian LabombardChanged R_CUR programming at 210msec from R=.638 to .65 m


No flash

Jul 28 1993 03:57:39:120PM930728022Brian LabombardFill pressure drifted down a bit on the last shot. (~7.0e-6)
Compensating by setting fill pressure to 9.0e-5

Flash only. Lost the null.

Jul 28 1993 04:12:05:840PM930728023Brian LabombardMay be TF warming up. Compensation for toroidal currents in TF no longer correct?
Some adjustments made to TF ramp programming.


No Flash

Jul 28 1993 04:23:57:490PM930728024Brian LabombardChange fill pressure to 1.2e-5
Minor changes to TF programming (raised 2 kA)


Good shot. Fast-scanning probe also fully inserted in this one.

Jul 28 1993 04:57:14:220PM930728026Brian LabombardChanged R_CUR program to R=.67 from 180 to 300 msec.

Flash only

Physics Operator Comments

Engineering Operator Comments
ShotTimeTypeStatusComment
108:52:09:460AMTestOkpulse gas test
209:21:16:460AMTestOkpulse gas test
309:31:29:620AMTestOkpulse gas test
410:07:56:990AMTestOkplasma
510:38:26:770AMPlasmaOkno bd
611:20:01:930AMPlasmaOkplasma
711:50:20:940AMPlasmaOkbreakdfown
812:06:28:780PMPlasmaOkbreakdown
912:21:46:020PMPlasmaOkbreakdown
1012:43:24:520PMPlasmaOkbreakdown
1112:57:13:970PMPlasmaOkbreakdown
1201:16:23:300PMPlasmaOkbreakdown
1301:29:13:820PMPlasmaOkbrebreakdown
1401:42:41:040PMPlasmaOkat last
1501:55:00:690PMPlasmaOkbreakdown
1602:08:32:760PMPlasmaOkback again
1702:29:43:510PMPlasmaOktwo in a row
1802:49:57:220PMPlasmaOkgood shot
1903:10:12:760PMPlasmaOk450 ka
2003:23:47:410PMPlasmaOkno plasma
2103:35:36:950PMPlasmaOk
2203:46:29:270PMPlasmaOk
2304:02:21:220PMPlasmaOk
2404:16:42:040PMPlasmaOkgood shot 450 Ka plasma
2504:29:04:490PMPlasmaOk450 ka
2604:48:00:370PMPlasmaOkfizzle
2704:59:01:670PMPlasmaOkfizzle