3 ms·

To clarify, when talking about the neutrons I wasn't thinking about the radioactive waste problem, but about keeping the superconductor's temperature low. I jus

To clarify, when talking about the neutrons I wasn't thinking about the radioactive waste problem, but about keeping the superconductor's temperature low. I just took a look at the Iter schema and noticed that there is a "blanket" that covers the interior surface of the vacuum vessel exactly to absorb the neutrons. The vessel then has a water cooling system. At this point, I was also wondering if you have any idea about how much of the heat transfer from the plasma to the vessel would be be through those neutrons (ie if it's the main heat transfer medium).

bostik 11y ago
By my understanding practically all of the generated energy is due to neutrons hitting the containment vessel. Highly energetic neutron, impacting solid matter, will generate quite a bit of heat in the violent collision. I found one fairly decent source [0] which goes into somewhat greater detail. It's worth noting that if you follow the link to first page of the series, that page explicitly states that what fusion reactors call "neutron flux" would be called "heat flux" in traditional reactors. And it makes sense even when thinking logically. Energy and matter are interchangeable, and the reactor turns matter into energy; majority of matter escaping from the fusion reactor will be helium and neutrons. These particles interacting with external solid matter turns kinetic energy into heat. That's the power plant's heat source. Now, as to the fraction of heat transferred by neutrons compared to that transferred by the newly formed helium - I have no idea. 0: http://www.visionofearth.org/industry/fusion/how-do-we-turn-nuclear-fusion-energy-into-electricity/ http://www.visionofearth.org/industry/fusion/how-do-we-turn-...
- danmaz74 11y ago
  Thanks for the update :) Regarding helium, considering that it's plasma we're talking about, I think it can't escape at all - the separated nuclei and electrons should be contained by the magnetic field.

bostik 11y ago

By my understanding practically all of the generated energy is due to neutrons hitting the containment vessel. Highly energetic neutron, impacting solid matter, will generate quite a bit of heat in the violent collision. I found one fairly decent source [0] which goes into somewhat greater detail. It's worth noting that if you follow the link to first page of the series, that page explicitly states that what fusion reactors call "neutron flux" would be called "heat flux" in traditional reactors. And it makes sense even when thinking logically. Energy and matter are interchangeable, and the reactor turns matter into energy; majority of matter escaping from the fusion reactor will be helium and neutrons. These particles interacting with external solid matter turns kinetic energy into heat. That's the power plant's heat source. Now, as to the fraction of heat transferred by neutrons compared to that transferred by the newly formed helium - I have no idea. 0: http://www.visionofearth.org/industry/fusion/how-do-we-turn-nuclear-fusion-energy-into-electricity/ http://www.visionofearth.org/industry/fusion/how-do-we-turn-...

danmaz74 11y ago
Thanks for the update :) Regarding helium, considering that it's plasma we're talking about, I think it can't escape at all - the separated nuclei and electrons should be contained by the magnetic field.