Apparatus and method for extracting power from energetic ions produced in nuclear fusion
Abstract
An apparatus and method of extracting power from energetic ions produced by nuclear fusion in a toroidal plasma to enhance respectively the toroidal plasma current and fusion reactivity. By injecting waves of predetermined frequency and phase traveling substantially in a selected poloidal direction within the plasma, the energetic ions become diffused in energy and space such that the energetic ions lose energy and amplify the waves. The amplified waves are further adapted to travel substantially in a selected toroidal direction to increase preferentially the energy of electrons traveling in one toroidal direction which, in turn, enhances or generates a toroidal plasma current. In an further adaptation, the amplified waves can be made to preferentially increase the energy of fuel ions within the plasma to enhance the fusion reactivity of the fuel ions. The described direct, or in situ, conversion of the energetic ion energy provides an efficient and economical means of delivering power to a fusion reactor. 4 figures.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 6639514
- Patent Number(s):
- 5375149
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 8-095560
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH03073
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 26 Jul 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; Fu; THERMONUCLEAR FUELS; PERFORMANCE; THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS; ELECTRIC CURRENTS; ENERGY LOSSES; ENERGY TRANSFER; FUSION YIELD; PLASMA WAVES; CURRENTS; FUELS; LOSSES; NUCLEAR REACTION YIELD; YIELDS; 700460* - Fusion Technology- Heating & Fueling Systems; Fuels- (1992); 700412 - Magnetic Confinement Devices- (1992-)
Citation Formats
Fisch, N J, and Rax, J M. Apparatus and method for extracting power from energetic ions produced in nuclear fusion. United States: N. p., 1994.
Web.
Fisch, N J, & Rax, J M. Apparatus and method for extracting power from energetic ions produced in nuclear fusion. United States.
Fisch, N J, and Rax, J M. Tue .
"Apparatus and method for extracting power from energetic ions produced in nuclear fusion". United States.
@article{osti_6639514,
title = {Apparatus and method for extracting power from energetic ions produced in nuclear fusion},
author = {Fisch, N J and Rax, J M},
abstractNote = {An apparatus and method of extracting power from energetic ions produced by nuclear fusion in a toroidal plasma to enhance respectively the toroidal plasma current and fusion reactivity. By injecting waves of predetermined frequency and phase traveling substantially in a selected poloidal direction within the plasma, the energetic ions become diffused in energy and space such that the energetic ions lose energy and amplify the waves. The amplified waves are further adapted to travel substantially in a selected toroidal direction to increase preferentially the energy of electrons traveling in one toroidal direction which, in turn, enhances or generates a toroidal plasma current. In an further adaptation, the amplified waves can be made to preferentially increase the energy of fuel ions within the plasma to enhance the fusion reactivity of the fuel ions. The described direct, or in situ, conversion of the energetic ion energy provides an efficient and economical means of delivering power to a fusion reactor. 4 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 20 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Tue Dec 20 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}