Scenario modeling supporting SPARC design activities

A suite of plasma scenario simulation tools has supported the rapid maturation of the SPARC design basis. An important component of the scenario modeling is a time-dependent electromagnetic calculation that includes an axisymmetric description of the toroidally conductive structures suitable for efficient calculations. A framework utilizing modules from the HEAT code was developed to distill 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models into a meshed 2D description that enables rapid evaluation of design options. An accurate 2D description of the conducting structures is especially important for evaluating plasma startup, ramp-down, strike-point sweeping and the vertical position control system in order to refine the power supply requirements. Psi-Tet calculations for the induced 3D currents in the conductive structures inform the calibration of the lower-fidelity 2D axisymmetric model. Coordinated analysis identified the poloidal contour of the outboard limiter based on the size of the vertical excursions and control errors expected during operations and the requirement to achieve good ICRH coupling and shadowing of the antennas.