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• Experimental campaign on MTF carried out in QST lab in Naka, Ibaraki, Japan. • Opera, SLACCAD, COMSOL, EAMCC3D correctly predict beam divergence. • Semi-empirical Opera model with current density asymmetry correctly predicts the beam deflection. • COMSOL and EAMCC3D slightly underestimate heat loads on the grids. It is a widely recognized phenomenon that, in negative ion sources for NBI, the magnetic fields in the source cause an asymmetry of the current density at the meniscus, which affects the beam optics. In order to achieve a more realistic estimation of the negative ion beam optics, the ion current density profile at the beamlet meniscus is sometimes assumed to be non-symmetric with respect to the beamlet axis. The new hypothesis tested in this paper is an empirical law obtained by recent investigations on a similar Kamaboko ion source, which relates this asymmetry to the magnetic field strength at the meniscus and to the power injected in the ion source. For the first time this hypothesis is used to directly and correctly predict the value of the beamlet deflection. The MeV ion source Test Facility (MTF) is a high voltage negative ion beam accelerator dedicated to fusion experiments in QST, Naka, Ibaraki, Japan. MTF can be operated as a three- or five-stage multi-aperture accelerator with a configuration and beam energy comparable to the future ITER NBI. In 2019, experiments were conducted on MTF aiming at accelerating a H- beam with high energy and good optics for a long duration of the beam (around 100 s). These experiments allowed to measure the beamlet divergence and deflection as well as the heat loads due to particle impinging on the accelerator grids, over a wide range of operating parameters. The predictions of several beam simulation codes (Opera, COMSOL, SLACCAD, EAMCC3D) have been compared to the experimental measurements, which allows to obtain a good agreement in terms of beam optics and a fair agreement in terms of heat loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a nuclear fusion reactor, some components of the system are subjected to huge thermal loads. These components, such as grids, neutralizers, calorimeters, ducts, divertors, blankets etc. have to be actively cooled in order to avoid damage, functionality problems and specially to ensure their reliability. The design process of such components requires taking into account several physical phenomena, with the goal of not only satisfying the functionality conditions, but also with a focus on the structural verifications and component lifetime. For assessment of the structural design for components in ITER, the ITER Structural Design Criteria for In-vessel Components (SDC-IC) represent the reference verification criteria. The aim of this work is to investigate the relationship between the cooling system performance and the fatigue life. In this work a generalized framework for the evaluation of cooling system components is presented, taking into account the necessary input parameters, performing numerical analyses, division of component into several interest regions and assessing the fatigue life. The performed numerical analyses are a set of coupled CFD and thermo-structural analyses. A case study is presented for a critical component, the Grounded Grid (GG), inside the SPIDER beam source experiment at Consorzio RFX, Padova, Italy. The presented test case includes cooling system effectiveness analysis, assessment of the temperature distribution on housing during operations, mapping the pressure distribution inside the cooling system and finally assessment of the maximum number of allowed cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reach fusion conditions and control the plasma configuration in ITER, the next step in tokamak fusion research, two neutral beam injectors (NBIs) will supply 16.5 MW each, by neutralizing accelerated negative hydrogen or deuterium ions. The requirements of ITER NBIs (40A/1 MeV D- ions for ≤1 h, 46A/870 keV H- ions for ≤1000 s) have never been simultaneously attained. So in the Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF, Consorzio RFX, Italy) the operation of the full-scale ITER NBI prototype (MITICA) will be tested and optimised up to full performances, focussing on accelerator (including voltage holding), beam optics, neutralisation, residual ion removal. The NBTF includes also the full-scale prototype of the ITER NBI source with 100 keV particle energy (SPIDER), for early investigation of: negative ion production and extraction, source uniformity, negative ion current density and beam optics. This paper will describe the main results of the first two years of SPIDER operation, devoted to characterizing plasma and beam parameters, including investigation of RF-plasma coupling efficiency and magnetic filter field effectiveness in reducing co-extracted electrons. SPIDER is progressing towards the first caesium injection, which aims at increasing the negative ion density. A major shutdown, planned for 2021, to solve the issues identified during the operation and to carry out programmed modifications, will be outlined. The installation of each MITICA power supply and auxiliary system is completed; in-vessel mechanical components are under procurement by Fusion for Energy (F4E). Integration, commissioning and test of the power supplies, procured by F4E and QST, as the Japanese Domestic Agency (JADA), will be presented. In particular, 1.0MV insulating tests were carried out step-by-step and successfully completed. In 2020 integrated tests of the power supplies on the accelerator dummy load started, including the assessment of their resilience to accelerator grid breakdowns using a short-circuit device located in vacuum. The aggressive programme, to validate the NBI design at NBTF and to meet ITER schedule (requiring NBIs in operation in 2032), will be outlined. Unfortunately, in 2020 the coronavirus disease infection affected the NBTF activities. A solution to proceed with integrated power tests despite the coronavirus is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]