Plasma electric generation system

Abstract

A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.

Description

technical field [0001] This invention relates generally to the field of plasma physics, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for confining plasmas to enable nuclear fusion energy and for converting energy from fusion products into electrical energy. Background technique [0002] Fusion is the process by which two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. The fusion process releases enormous amounts of energy in the form of fast-moving particles. Because the nuclei are positively charged - due to the protons contained within - there is a repulsive electrostatic or Coulomb force between them. For two fused nuclei, this repulsive force barrier must be overcome. This occurs when the two nuclei are sufficiently close together that the short distance nuclear force becomes strong enough to overcome the Coulomb force and fuse the nuclei. The energy required for the nuclei to overcome the Coulomb barrier is provided by their thermal energy, which must be very high....

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Disadvantages of the neutron reaction are: (1) the fast neutron stream creates many problems, including structural damage to the reactor walls and, for most materials of manufacture, high levels of radioactivity; Electrics harvest their energy, which is very inefficient (less than 30%)

Although there have been many research topics on the electrostatic confinement of ions, none of them have succeeded in establishing the required electrostatic field when the ions have the density required for a fusion reactor

Finally, none of those patents cited above discuss field-reversed configuration magnetic topologies

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