An overview of the STEP divertor design and the simple models driving the plasma exhaust scenario

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Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the preliminary divertor design and plasma exhaust scenario for the reactor-class Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production project. Due to the smaller size of the machine, with a major radius less than half that of most DEMO concepts, the current design features a double-null divertor geometry, comprising tightly baffled extended outer legs and shorter inner legs approaching an X-divertor. Leveraging a significant database of SOLPS-ITER simulations, the exhaust operational space is mapped out, offering valuable insights into the plasma exhaust dynamics. An approach involving the validation of simple, yet robust models capable of accurately predicting key exhaust parameters is detailed, thereby streamlining the design process. The simple models are used to simulate the entire plasma scenario from the plasma current ramp-up, through the burning phase, to the plasma current ramp-down. Notably, the findings suggest that pronounced detachment, with peak heat loads below engineering limits and electron temperatures below 5 eV, is achievable with a divertor neutral pressure between 10 Pa and 15 Pa during the burning phase, and pressures below 5 Pa during the ramp-up to maximise the auxiliary current-drive efficiency. Throughout the scenario, an Ar concentration of ≈ 3 % in the scrape-off layer (SOL) is required, in combination with a core radiation fraction of 70% driven by intrinsic emission and extrinsic injection of Xe seeded fuelling pellets. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding key parameters such as the SOL heat flux width, Ar screening, and plasma kinetic effects.

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