- #1
TheJoninator
- 35
- 0
Where does the heat come from? What pushes the atoms together?
TheJoninator said:Oh right, thanks mate. Does the magnetic field push the atoms together?
In a magnetic confinement fusion reactor, the gas is heated through a process called ohmic heating. This involves passing an electric current through the gas, which causes it to heat up and eventually reach the high temperatures necessary for plasma formation.
The most commonly used gas in these reactors is a mixture of deuterium and tritium, two isotopes of hydrogen. This combination allows for efficient fusion reactions to occur at lower temperatures and pressures compared to other gases.
The gas is contained within a vessel made of strong, heat-resistant materials such as steel or tungsten. This vessel is lined with powerful electromagnets that create a magnetic field, which prevents the hot plasma from coming into contact with the walls and causing damage.
The magnetic fields in a magnetic confinement fusion reactor are crucial for confining and controlling the hot plasma. They shape and guide the plasma, keeping it away from the walls and allowing it to reach the high temperatures and pressures necessary for fusion to occur.
The plasma is maintained through a delicate balance of heating and cooling mechanisms. The gas is continuously heated by the electric current and the magnetic fields, while specialized systems called diverters remove excess heat and impurities from the plasma to keep it stable.