Methods and systems for particle diversion and enhanced pumping efficiency
The present disclosure may provide methods and systems for exhausting particles from a plasma field using, at least in part, the backside surface of a divertor.
1 . A method of removing one or more particles from a plasma comprising:
directing a scrape-off layer of said plasma to a backside surface of an island divertor, wherein said backside surface is disposed on a side of said divertor opposite a center of said plasma;
injecting from a wall onto the backside surface of the island divertor a ballast gas, where the ballast gas is at a temperature lower than an exhaust temperature of the plasma; and
using said divertor, diverting an amount of said one or more particles from said scrape-off layer to one or more pump channels.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said plasma flow is a portion of a stellarator.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said divertor is located on a side of a magnetic island within a boundary of said scrape-off layer.
4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising forming, using said stellarator, x-points of a magnetic field that are helical in nature.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said x-points have a poloidal magnetic field component.
6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said x-points have a poloidal and a toroidal magnetic field component.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more particles are charged particles prior to an interaction with said divertor.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising neutralizing said one or more charged particles using said backside surface of said divertor.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said one or more particles comprises an alpha particle.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said one or more particles comprises a tungsten particle.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said one or more particles comprises an impurity from a material of said scrape-off layer.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said scrape-off layer is diverted through one or more flow channels to said backside surface of said divertor.
13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising (e) removing said one or more particles from said one or more pump channels using one or more pumps.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said backside surface of said divertor is oriented facing said one or more pumps.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising reintroducing said one or more particles to said scrape-off layer less than about 10 times per 100 particles before exhausting said one or more particles through said pump channels.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said plasma further comprises a core plasma portion that is different from said scrape-off layer.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more particles comprise hydrogen, deuterium, or tritium.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said divertor comprises tungsten or a tungsten alloy.