Dynamic processes in field-reversed-configuration compact toroids
Abstract
In this lecture, the dynamic processes involved in field-reversed configuration (FRC) formation, translation, and compression will be reviewed. Though the FRC is related to the field-reversed mirror concept, the formation method used in most experiments is a variant of the field-reversed THETA-pinch. Formation of the FRC eqilibrium occurs rapidly, usually in less than 20 ..mu..s. The formation sequence consists of several coupled processes: preionization; radial implosion and compression; magnetic field line closure; axial contraction; equilibrium formation. Recent experiments and theory have led to a significantly improved understanding of these processes; however, the experimental method still relies on a somewhat empirical approach which involves the optimization of initial preionization plasma parameters and symmetry. New improvements in FRC formation methods include the use of lower voltages which extrapolate better to larger devices. The axial translation of compact toroid plasmas offers an attractive engineering convenience in a fusion reactor. FRC translation has been demonstrated in several experiments worldwide, and these plasmas are found to be robust, moving at speeds up to the Alfven velocity over distances of up to 16 m, with no degradation in the confinement. Compact toroids are ideal for magnetic compression. Translated FRCs have been compressed and heated by implodingmore »
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 6135951
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-87-2854; CONF-870908-12
ON: DE87014756
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Resource Type:
- Conference
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Course and workshop on physics of mirrors, reversed field pinches and compact tori, Varenna, Italy, 1 Sep 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; FIELD-REVERSED THETA PINCH DEVICES; DYNAMICS; MAGNETIC COMPRESSION; ADIABATIC COMPRESSION HEATING; EQUILIBRIUM PLASMA; IONIZATION; MHD EQUILIBRIUM; PLASMA SIMULATION; TIME DEPENDENCE; CLOSED PLASMA DEVICES; COMPACT TORUS; COMPRESSION; EQUILIBRIUM; HEATING; MECHANICS; PINCH DEVICES; PLASMA; PLASMA HEATING; SIMULATION; THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES; TORI; 700101* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Confinement, Heating, & Production
Citation Formats
Rej, D J. Dynamic processes in field-reversed-configuration compact toroids. United States: N. p., 1987.
Web.
Rej, D J. Dynamic processes in field-reversed-configuration compact toroids. United States.
Rej, D J. 1987.
"Dynamic processes in field-reversed-configuration compact toroids". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6135951.
@article{osti_6135951,
title = {Dynamic processes in field-reversed-configuration compact toroids},
author = {Rej, D J},
abstractNote = {In this lecture, the dynamic processes involved in field-reversed configuration (FRC) formation, translation, and compression will be reviewed. Though the FRC is related to the field-reversed mirror concept, the formation method used in most experiments is a variant of the field-reversed THETA-pinch. Formation of the FRC eqilibrium occurs rapidly, usually in less than 20 ..mu..s. The formation sequence consists of several coupled processes: preionization; radial implosion and compression; magnetic field line closure; axial contraction; equilibrium formation. Recent experiments and theory have led to a significantly improved understanding of these processes; however, the experimental method still relies on a somewhat empirical approach which involves the optimization of initial preionization plasma parameters and symmetry. New improvements in FRC formation methods include the use of lower voltages which extrapolate better to larger devices. The axial translation of compact toroid plasmas offers an attractive engineering convenience in a fusion reactor. FRC translation has been demonstrated in several experiments worldwide, and these plasmas are found to be robust, moving at speeds up to the Alfven velocity over distances of up to 16 m, with no degradation in the confinement. Compact toroids are ideal for magnetic compression. Translated FRCs have been compressed and heated by imploding liners. Upcoming experiments will rely on external flux compression to heat a translater FRC at 1-GW power levels. 39 refs.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6135951},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987},
month = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987}
}