Core-Edge Coupled Modeling of NSTX in TRANSP with Reduced Scrape-Off-Layer Model

The dynamic interplay between the core and the edge plasma has important consequences in the confinement and heating of fusion plasma. The transport of the SOL plasma imposes boundary conditions on the core plasma, and the recycled neutrals in the SOL influence the core ionization sources and NBI deposition. In order to better study these effects in a self-consistent, time-dependent fashion, a new reduced model has been developed that calculates separatrix temperature and density given the core to edge particle and power fluxes and recycling coefficients. The reduced model is coupled with TRANSP to provide time-dependent boundary conditions for the core solver, which subsequently improves various components of core calculations. The reduced SOL plasma model will be supplemented by kinetic neutral simulations with the DEGAS2 code. We will demonstrate the improved data interpretation capabilities of TRANSP by comparing calculated quantities with measurements in NSTX discharges. Implications for future interpretive and predictive simulations will also be discussed.