NSTX Run Assessment Meeting

1
NSTX Run Assessment Meeting

• August 8, 2008

2
Improvements in System Performance

• The new control computer to replace SKY greatly
  improved shot to shot reliability.
• The new dual probe lithium evaporator system
  (LITER) commissioned and effectively supported
  operations this year
• Noise on NSTX grounding System reduced. New
  Diag. ground installed
• - Magnetic feedback system noise during SPA
  shots still a problem
• Test time kept to less than I hour/day. Time
  needed between shots continues to drop.
• NSTX Shot Statistics continue to improve each
  year

3
Run Assessment Actions Last year

• Program Coordination - Physics Operators now
  further participate in proposing shot development
  in the design of an XP. The Mid-Run Assessment
  Weekly Meetings actively measures progress
  towards publications, and the Run Coordinator
  tracks longer term XP progress.
• Collaborations - Training notifications made to
  all, and more training made available on line.
  All approved XPs are now posted on line, as well
  as updated run schedules.
• Run Schedule - Changes made to start Ops earlier,
  and to automate some diagnostic adjustments.
  Wider distribution of engineering schedules now
  made.
• Run Staffing/Equipment - Shortages of some
  critical spares identified and ordered.
  Operational improvements to power systems
  proposed and implemented. Staffing needs
  identified and some relief provided, but can
  still do better.

4
Research Program Issues for Discussion

• Communication/Program coordination
• Research planning (daily vs weekly vs yearly vs
  longer-term)
• Coordination of start up activities, run versus
  maintenance time, layout of the run day Impact of
  long-term plans on diagnostics
• Scheduling, allocation of time, and
  performance/completion of XPs
• Input into major facility initiatives/upgrades/res
  earch planning
• Publishing the results of high impact experiments
  in a timely fashion
• General (science or non-science) vs specialized
  audience
• Need more of both
• Collaborations Collaborator Support
• PPPL support of collaborator effort
• Integration into program planning 
• Run Staffing and Equipment/Spare Part needs
• Single point-of-failures in diagnostics
  analysis
• Need suggestions for realistic solutions
  (resources will continue to be limited)