Title: Z-pinch plasma confinement system having intermediate electrode and methods for use

Abstract

An example method includes directing gas, via one or more first valves, from within an inner electrode to an acceleration region between the inner electrode and an outer electrode that substantially surrounds the inner electrode, directing gas, via two or more second valves, from outside the outer electrode to the acceleration region, and applying, via a power supply, a voltage between the inner electrode and the outer electrode, thereby converting at least a portion of the directed gas into a plasma saving a substantially annular cross section, the plasma flowing axially within the acceleration region toward a first end of the inner electrode and a first end of the outer electrode and, thereafter, establishing a Z-pinch plasma that flows between the first end of the outer electrode and the first end of the inner electrode. Related plasma confinement systems and methods are also disclosed herein.

Inventors:

Shumlak, Uri; Nelson, Brian A.; Golingo, Raymond

Issue Date:

Tue Feb 14 00:00:00 EST 2023

Research Org.:

Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)

OSTI Identifier:

1987124

Patent Number(s):

11581100

Application Number:

16/487,338

Assignee:

University of Washington (Seattle, WA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21B - FUSION REACTORS

H - ELECTRICITY H05 - ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR H05H - PLASMA TECHNIQUE

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G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21B - FUSION REACTORS

G21B1/05 - with magnetic or electric plasma confinement

H - ELECTRICITY H05 - ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR H05H - PLASMA TECHNIQUE

H05H1/04 - using magnetic fields substantially generated by the discharge in the plasma
H05H1/06 - Longitudinal pinch devices

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E30/10 - Fusion reactors

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DOE Contract Number:  

AR0000571; FG02-04ER54756; NA0001860

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 02/23/2018

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English