Parametric studies of dense plasma focus for fusion space propulsion with D - He3. Special report May-Aug 90

Technical Report · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5363216

Leakeas, C L

A coaxial electrode system known as the dense plasma focus (DPF) is investigated as a possible space propulsion concept. A large potential difference between the electrodes ionizes the gaseous fusion fuel and forms an annular plasma sheath. This sheath then propagates down the length of the anode entraining additional fuel along the way. The rundown phase is analyzed by solving the momentum equation using this snowplow model. At the end of the anode, MHD instabilities cause the sheath to collapse into a hot, high density plasma where fusion events occur. Fusion reaction products as well as unreacted fuel can then be used to produce thrust. It is also possible to use the reaction products to heat hydrogen propellant in order to produce more thrust. An open-ended coolant cycle may be used in order to avoid the necessity for large radiators. In this way, the heated coolant can be used to drive a turbogenerator to produce electricity before it is exhausted as propellant. A model of the DPF is developed, various operating regimes are identified, and key parameters varied to define optimum operating ranges. Computations were made with the FORTRAN code found in the appendix. Operation with no hydrogen propellant allows high specific impulse values, about 1 million s, possible at thrusts of about 44.5 N (10 lbf). High specific impulse make larger mission V's possible and can decrease trip time and reduce exposure of astronauts to cosmic radiation.

• Research Organization: Phillips Lab., Edwards AFB, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5363216
• Report Number(s): AD-A-234578/3/XAB; PL-TR-91-3014
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS
SPACE VEHICLES
ANODES
COOLANTS
DENSITY
ELECTRODES
FOCUSING
FORTRAN
GASES
HEAT
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN FUELS
OPTIMIZATION
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PLASMA SHEATH
PROPELLANTS
THERMONUCLEAR FUELS
TURBOGENERATORS
USES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
FLUIDS
FUELS
MACHINERY
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
SYNTHESIS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
TURBOMACHINERY
VEHICLES
700000* - Fusion Energy
330000 - Advanced Propulsion Systems