Summary of NCSX SIT Meetings of Monday, Mar. 17, and Monday, Mar. 24, 2003
1. Advanced Conceptual Design Critical Issues
* Establishing the baseline modular coil geometry. There has not yet been a satisfactory PIES result for the smoothed M50 modular coil variants E01 and E03. Attempts have been made with both single-filament and multi-filament representations, and different coil current distributions. Because of the urgency of fixing the modular goil geometry so that many other dependent design tasks can proceed, it was decided to retain the original unsmoothed M50 coil design, designated M50_256.z01. PIES analyses of E01 and E03 should continue to see if it can be determined whether they are acceptable in case they are needed in the future.
* Establishing the baseline VV geometry. Attempts are still being made to smooth the VV geometry using a new version of Pro-E ("Wildfire") and advanced modeling software. Engineering should monitor progress on this activity day-to-day and determine how long to continue the effort.
ACTION: Engineering to decide. (Wayne)
* Establishing the first wall geometry. It was decided to use the best currently available vacuum vessel geometry for generating the first wall now. This is urgently needed by Physics as a boundary condition for generating the reference equilibria and waveforms.
ACTION: Dave W. contact Art Brooks.
If we subsequently adopt a slightly different FW geometry (e.g., if VV smoothing works out in the future), it means there may be a small inconsistency between the reference geometry and the reference waveforms. We decided to accept this risk in the interest of getting on with the design.
2. Possible Modifications to FY-03 Work Plans
* Ron reported that the estimates to complete the currently authorized FY-03 work scope fall significantly short of available funds. Therefore there is an opportunity to authorize work that is currently scheduled for future years. However, the ability to do so is constrained by limits on discretionary spending (M&S and travel) that have been imposed at PPPL. Thus we are looking for labor-intensive tasks that can be accelerated into FY-03. Several possibilities have been identified:
- Test cell shield block removal. APPROVED. NCSX work scope to be coordinated with the ongoing PBX test cell cleanup activities.
ACTION: Ron continue to coordinate with Erik Perry.
- Accelerate power systems design. Plan on proceeding later in FY-03, but not before requirements are adequately defined. Probably after the PDR.
- Cable support structural design contract ($30k). This task is M&S-intensive. Table for now.
- Clear out FCPC areas. This can go ahead once there is a satisfactory resolution to the problem of replacing the working facilities that will be displaced. Affects NCSX and other PPPL groups. ACTION: Ron coordinate with PPPL Engineering.
- Fabricate modular coil turning fixtures. This is a labor-intensive task that could be done but requires about $30k of hardware procurement, which is not currently in the NCSX discretionary budget at PPPL. A solution could be for ORNL to do the procurement if their budget will permit it.
ACTION: Jim Lyon, determine whether ORNL can fund this $30k procurement. (Jim Chrzanowski knows the details.)
3. Planning for the Preliminary Design Review, June 24-27
* DOE has decided that the PDR will be a PPPL review. However it will still be planned to ensure that it meets both PPPL's and DOE's needs, as we have been planning. The review team will have a significant number of non-PPPL/ORNL members. We discussed the pros and cons of having a PPPL Chair versus an outside chair lead the review. The attached planning document was updated based on this and other recent discussions.
4. Getting the GRD Approved (Hutch)
* Work will begin today on incorporating comments from last Fall's WBS manager review of the GRD.
ACTION: Hutch.
* Wayne and Mike will meet this week to reconstruct Physics comments that apparently got misplaced.
* A Peer Review will be held before Mike's departure for a mid-April business trip to Germany. Target date: April 3.
ACTION: Hutch work with Bob, Mike, and Wayne to set up the peer review.
5. This week's schedule (Hutch)
* Report of the Feb. PCS Review was formally transmitted to us by Greg Pitonak with a request to respond to the findings by 3/31. Ron has the lead and will coordinate with Project leadership at PPPL and ORNL, and others at PPPL.
ACTION: Ron
* FY-03 Program Execution Agreeemnts (PEAs) have now been requested by OFES. They will be prepared, closely following the recently submitted FWP.
ACTION: Ron
* Ron will meet with Wayne, Hutch, and Mike Cole on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. to go over the February PCS status. At PPPL, it will be in the Eng. Conf. Room. All are welcome.
* There will be a WBS-1 Meeting Wednesday at 1:30.
ACTION: Mike Cole.
6. Next SIT Meeting: Monday, Mar. 31 at 11:00.
7. Next DOE-IPT Meeting: Tues., April 1 at 11:00. Likely topics: PDR planning, anticipated financial plan changes (heads-up only), project status update.
Summary by:
Hutch Neilson