Thermal modeling of runaway electron induced damage in the SPARC tokamak

TL;DR

This study models the thermal damage caused by runaway electron impacts on tungsten plasma-facing components in the SPARC tokamak, providing insights into damage mechanisms during transient events.

Contribution

First systematic thermal analysis of RE-induced damage on SPARC tungsten PFC tiles using realistic panel design and detailed impact simulations.

Findings

Identification of temperature profiles during RE impacts

Quantification of melt depth and vaporization losses

Comparison of damage characteristics under different impact conditions

Abstract

The integrity of plasma-facing components (PFCs) in tokamaks is critically challenged by transient events such as runaway electron (RE) impacts. We report the first systematic analysis of the thermal damage to tungsten-based PFC tiles comprising the SPARC outboard off-midplane limiters that is induced by RE beams formed during vertical displacement events. Parametric scans in RE impacting characteristics as well as energy-pitch distribution functions from the Dream code are employed for calculations of the volumetric heat loads. A realistic panel design is adopted to enhance the fidelity of the thermal analysis. The PFC thermal responses are compared in terms of in-depth temperature profiles and damage characteristics, such as melt depth and vaporization losses.