TSC Modelling of Major Disruption and VDE Events in NSTX and ASDEX-Upgrade and Predictions for ITER

Full text: In the 2008 IAEA FEC, we had presented results of TSC simulations of fast MDs and slow VDEs and compared these simulation results with that obtained from DINA modelling. These results largely showed similar plasma behaviour, although somewhat differed in the predictions for the plasma current quench times and halo current magnitudes. Thus, it was decided to update both the models after benchmarking them with experimental observations in NSTX and ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) devices and use the updated codes to make more accurate predictions for ITER. Also ITER machine has undergone significant changes in the last year, e.g., in the vacuum vessel, blanket modules, central solenoid, divertor dome structure, addition of in-vessel control coils and so on, which affect the vertical evolution and disruption behaviour of the plasma. We present in this paper the TSC modelling of the VDE and MD events in NSTX and AUG devices, which help in improving and validating the models used in the code. The predictive modelling results for ITER with the updated TSC code, including the force predictions, are also presented. (author)