ITER divertor performance in the low-activation phase

The paper presents results of SOLPS modelling of the edge plasma performance during the low-activation phase of ITER operation. The calculations show that the peak power loading of the divertor targets can reach the reactor-relevant level of 3 to 5 MW m−2, even without the fusion reactions, rendering commissioning of the high heat flux components possible in this phase. Parametrization of the output of the SOLPS runs for the predominantly helium plasma concerned by the studies reported here is performed, thus providing the boundary conditions for modelling of the core and allowing efficient integration of the core and edge models. This approach, using the ASTRA code for core simulations, is applied to the analysis of hydrogen accumulation in helium plasmas due to H pellet injection. The latter is the only available option for early testing of ELM pace-making as an ELM control tool assuming H-mode in hydrogen will not be possible. Critical dilution with H down to 70% He in the core plasma can be reached in only 0.5 to 1 s or even shorter, depending on the assumptions made.