3 ms·
What I found impressive was the failure or rather why it couldn't keep going wasn't due to the fusion process it was due to overheated magnets. Generating 59 M
by dghughes 4y ago
What I found impressive was the failure or rather why it couldn't keep going wasn't due to the fusion process it was due to overheated magnets.
Generating 59 MJ (11MW) in five seconds was impressive too although I didn't see what the amount of energy that was input.
I'm also curious how are they going to heat water for the steam generators? Water can't be heated to 150 million degrees C something has to moderate it down to X degrees. That seems to be incredibly wasteful.
- simne 4y agoWith D-He3 process, most energy generates as neutrons (about two magnitudes more than in fission reactors) and as break x-ray. Each will be converted to heat in walls and in shielding blanket, which cooled by water.
- pfdietz 4y agoNo, D-3He produces rather little energy in neutrons, especially if the D ions can be kept less energetic than the 3He ions to suppress the DD reaction. The D+3He reaction itself produces 4He and a proton. NIF uses DT, not D3He, btw.
- simne 4y ago> The D+3He reaction itself produces 4He and a proton Yes, I made mistake. Thank You. But this is not making much difference from neutrons from D+T reaction, particles are not too convenient to got energy from their moving. Much better pure Boron+Carbon reaction, from which energy will go just as photons, for example could be used to feed laser/maser and then convert to electricity by photovoltaic or high frequency power diodes.