Methodology for electromagnetic analysis using the finite element method for fusion reactor components

• Methodology developed to conduct EM analyses for fusion reactor components. • Algorithms guide from selection of the calculation method to validation of results. • Spheres-Worst instant calculation method systematically described. • Optimization of resources with the force curve fit method. • Study of convergence errors due to the T-Omega formulation implemented with FEM. Electromagnetic (EM) analyses are carried out when designing fusion reactor components to verify that they withstand the EM loads developed during transient plasma events, thus ensuring their proper functioning. A complete methodology has been developed to conduct EM analyses by creating algorithms to guide the analyst during the decisions and actions to be taken, from the selection of the case events and the calculation method to the validation of the final results. This methodology has been applied to the EM analyses of the ex-vessel components of the ITER diagnostic Wide-Angle Viewing System (WAVS) in its final design stage. The calculation method selected is the Spheres-Worst instant method, implemented with a 3D finite element model. The paper includes a verification analysis of the simplifications made and a method to optimize the resources needed for the EM analysis.