Thermal load analysis and real time hot spots recognition in TOKAMAK using cellular nonlinear networks

A recent innovative technology in the field of plasma-wall interaction in nuclear fusion experiments is represented by the Liquid Lithium Limiter (LLL), a Limiter with a cooling system based on Liquid Lithium. Since its performance depends on the spatial temperature distribution, a thermal load analysis is important for long term developments. Furthermore, temperature is often not uniformly distributed leading to hot spots formation, that should be detected in real time to avoid any plasma disruptions. In this paper, an approach based on the definition of a suitable Cellular Nonlinear Network algorithm for the real-time image processing of thermal images taken during a plasma experiment is introduced. It allows both to map the LLL temperature and to detect hot spots over the limiter surface. Off-line testing of the proposed procedure reveals the effectiveness of the approach paving the way to the modeling of the limiter surface temperature providing reliable information.