Yep. Losses tend to scale with the area, power tends to scale with the volume.theCandyman said:It probably has to do with the surface area to volume ratio. Plasma on the outside can lose its energy to the confinement walls.
Yes, for many reactions like D+D and D+T. For others like p + 11B, the opposite is true in that almost no neutrons are released and almost all energy is release in the form of the charged alphas.Hologram0110 said:The energy in a fusion reaction is split between the charged particles and neutrons which result from the reaction. Most of the energy is carried away by neutrons since they have no charge they are not confined. ...
The limit is the pressure obtained by the magnetic field and the temperature of the plasma.Hologram0110 said:The energy in a fusion reaction is split between the charged particles and neutrons which result from the reaction. Most of the energy is carried away by neutrons since they have no charge they are not confined. The energy of the charged particles goes to heating (or keeping) the plasma hot. Having more a better volume(heating)/surface(cooling) ratio helps keep the plasma hot without needing extra energy from outside.
Similar results can be achieved with improved confinement so that you can get a higher particle density in the same volume. IE more particles in same volume= more reaction = more heat produced for roughly the same rate of cooling.
Yes, and the neutron flux from D+T is considered the biggest impediment to creating an economically successful fusion reactor after the net energy R&D problem is solved. The n flux drives minimum size. A [STRIKE]17MeV[/STRIKE] 14.1 MeV neutron requires a given wall thickness to stop, regardless of power design point.Hologram0110 said:You're right. I was talking specifically about a D + T reaction. This reaction is considered the most accessible for test or even commercial implementation because it has the lowest ignition temperature.
The size of a fusion reactor plays a crucial role in its efficiency. In general, a larger reactor is more efficient because it allows for a larger volume of plasma, which is where the fusion reactions occur. A larger volume of plasma means more fusion reactions can take place, resulting in a higher energy output.
Fusion reactions require extremely high temperatures and pressures to occur, which can only be achieved in a large and complex system. The size of a reactor is directly related to the amount of energy it can produce, so a larger reactor is necessary to generate significant amounts of energy.
In theory, it is possible for smaller reactors to be just as efficient as larger ones. However, in practice, smaller reactors have not yet been able to reach the temperatures and pressures necessary for sustained fusion reactions. Additionally, smaller reactors may not be able to contain and control the extremely hot plasma as effectively as larger ones.
The main advantage of building larger fusion reactors is the potential for higher energy output. This can make fusion energy more economically viable and help meet the growing demand for clean and sustainable energy sources. Additionally, larger reactors may be more efficient and reliable in the long run, making them a more practical option for large-scale energy production.
One potential drawback of building larger fusion reactors is the high cost and technical complexity involved. It requires significant resources and expertise to design, build, and operate a large fusion reactor. Additionally, larger reactors may also pose safety concerns due to the high temperatures and pressures involved.