Present status and one upgrading method with a cold compressor of the EAST sub-cooling helium cryogenic system

Since 2006, the superconducting toroidal field（TF） coils of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokomak（EAST） have been successfully cooled by supercritical helium at a temperature of 4.5 K and a pressure of 4 bara in eleven experiments. To obtain higher operating currents and magnetic fields it is necessary to lower the operating temperature of the TF coils.The EAST sub-cooling helium cryogenic system, with a warm oil ring pump（ORP）, was tested twice in cool-down experiments, which made the TF coils operate at 3.8 K. However, the long term operational stability of the sub-cooling system cannot be guaranteed because of the ORP＇s poor mechanical and control performance. In this paper, the present status of the EAST subcooling helium cryogenic system is described, and then several cooling methods below 4.2 K and their merits are presented and analyzed. Finally, an upgrading method with a cold compressor for an EAST sub-cooling helium cryogenic system is proposed. The new process flow and thermodynamic calculation of the sub-cooling helium system, and the main parameters of the cold compressor, are also presented in detail. This work will provide a reference for the future upgrading of the sub-cooling helium system for higher operation parameters of the EAST device.

The Application and Improvement of Helium Turbines in the EAST Cryogenic System

The helium cryogenic system supplies supercritical helium cooling capacity at 4.5 K for the superconducting magnets in the EAST superconducting tokamak.Four low-temperature helium turbines are used in the 2 kW helium refrigeration system,and their performance and reliability are critical for the continuous operation of the tokamak.The turbines were made by the Helium Mechanics Company in Russia.The start-up process is very unstable,easily broken,and thus testing and improvements are needed.In this paper,we analyze the structure of the helium turbine,make improvements,and describe the testing process and results of the improved helium turbines.Some of the operational experiences during the start-up process and tests are also presented.

Process Modeling and Dynamic Simulation for EAST Helium Refrigerator

In this paper,the process modeling and dynamic simulation for the EAST helium refrigerator has been completed.The cryogenic process model is described and the main components are customized in detail.The process model is controlled by the PLC simulator,and the realtime communication between the process model and the controllers is achieved by a customized interface.Validation of the process model has been confirmed based on EAST experimental data during the cool down process of 300-80 K.Simulation results indicate that this process simulator is able to reproduce dynamic behaviors of the EAST helium refrigerator very well for the operation of long pulsed plasma discharge.The cryogenic process simulator based on control architecture is available for operation optimization and control design of EAST cryogenic systems to cope with the long pulsed heat loads in the future.

Optimization Analysis and Simulation of the EAST Cryogenic System

This paper presents the optimization cycle of the EAST cryogenic system. A simulation analysis and simulation of the main Claude program of this cycle was developed on the basis of the characteristics of the components and verified with the experimental results. The built-in volume ratio of the No. 7 compressor was tested with the purpose of finding the optimum internal pressure ratio to comply with the external pressure ratio so as to increase the isothermal efficiency and cycle efficiency. In addition, the UA （U, heat transfer coefficient; A, heat transfer area） values of the heat exchangers, efficiencies of turbines, mass flow fraction of the turbine stream were analyzed in order to improve the capacity or efficiency of the cycle. Finally, in view of the estimated heat loads of EAST in future, an upgraded operational cycle of 1500 W/4.5 K ＋1000 W/3.5 K ＋5 g/s is proposed according to the simulation.