For lithium pellet injection into Heliotron E a new design of injector
was used. Some innovations in the process of lithium handling and pel
let preparation are described. The response of the main plasma paramet
ers to Li pellet injection is studied and the increase in electron pre
ssure after injection into NBI-heated plasmas is discussed. The ablati
on rate of the Li pellet was measured by the Li(I) and Li(II) lines an
d compared with the model. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.