OPTIMIZATION CRITERIA IN THE ELECTROMAGNETIC DESIGN OF RFP DEVICES

The paper analyzes the main aspects of the electromagnetic system design in large Reverse Field Pinch devices, with the aim of deriving some preliminary design criteria and of optimizing the overall dimensions of the machine with respect to suitable “quality indexes”. The peak plasma current is assumed to be the basic free parameter. Simple scaling laws for the main physical quantities are firstly reported. The toroidal and poloidal field systems are then analyzed in detail: the fundamental procedures in designing the windings and their power supplies are described with reference both to the electrical and to the mechanical aspects of the problem. Finally, for machines producing 2 to 6 MA of plasma current, the impact of the basic dimensional choices on the electromagnetic system cost and on the d-c installed power is discussed.