3D PFC Power Exhaust Predictions for the SPARC Tokamak

Designing PFCs to handle the heat loads that will be present in SPARC involves simultaneous optimization of the tokamak operational scenario and the PFC geometry. A code developed for such analysis, HEAT, is being used to couple these domains of physics and engineering. HEAT uses computer aided design (CAD) models and MHD equilibria to calculate heat fluxes and temperatures using empirical plasma models derived from experimental databases. HEAT can predict heat fluxes that arise as a result of power transported along the magnetic field lines, as well as power transported along the helical trajectories of ions with finite Larmor radii. Recent HEAT development has yielded a deterministic module capable of predicting the radiated power transported by photons from the plasma, as well as inter-PFC photon reflections. This talk will provide a synopsis of the HEAT power exhaust calculations that have been completed to date for SPARC. The heat flux profiles that arise from 3D PFC protection schemes will be highlighted. Time-varying 3D discharge simulations that incorporate strike point sweeping will demonstrate how integrating PFC engineering design with physics operations enables the PFCs to remain within their thermal limits despite peak parallel heat fluxes of up to 10 GW/m².