High-Yield Fusion Closer to Reality with Revolutionary LTD System

[Astronuc]

The key may be the new system, called a linear transformer driver (LTD), created by researchers at the Institute of High Current Electronics in Tomsk, Russia, in collaboration with colleagues at Sandia.

http://www.hcei.tsc.ru/index_en.shtml

http://www.hcei.tsc.ru/ssi/fields/zp/index_en.shtml


Rapid-fire pulse brings Sandia Z method closer to goal of high-yield fusion reactor
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-04/dnl-rpb042507.php

Revolutionary circuit fires thousands of times without flaw

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- An electrical circuit that should carry enough power to produce the long-sought goal of controlled high-yield nuclear fusion and, equally important, do it every 10 seconds, has undergone extensive preliminary experiments and computer simulations at Sandia National Laboratories' Z machine facility.

Z, when it fires, is already the largest producer of X-rays on Earth and has been used to produce fusion neutrons. But rapid bursts are necessary for future generating plants to produce electrical power from sea water. This had not been thought achievable till now.

Sandia is a National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory.

. . .

http://www.physorg.com/news96730015.html

http://www.sandia.gov/news/publications/fact/ZMachineFS05.pdf

 

[Azael]

Can this method of fusion possibly reach break even?

 

[Astronuc]

I expect that is the idea of pursuing this technology.

The objective of any fusion reseach is to develop a useful energy source from fusion - which is well beyond breakeven. However, in all cases, the challenges have been daunting and we're not there yet.

Apparently with the new LTD, there is considerable reduction in losses, and that is a big step in the right direction.

 

[mheslep]

G. Miley and T.J. Dolan ran a class this past Spring at UI on fusion and the resulting course website is a good resource. This http://npre421.ne.uiuc.edu/2007%20files/slides/Chapter%2012A.%20Pinches.pdf" on Z pinches is good overview.

The claim up thread from Sandia re 'largest X-ray' producer is disconcerting w/ respect to losses. I assume that's Bremsstrahlung X-Ray losses from hot electrons; the same problem that limits the efficiency of other neutral plasma reactors.

After Thought:
The improvement addressed in the OP is apparently about improvements in the efficiency of the drive currents that produce the implosion; I can't get a handle on the net power prospects from the plasma once generated via a Pinch. Apparently most of the work on Pinches is about the drive system and the stability of the implosion. My question: assume those problems are solvable, then what are the governing efficiency factors for fusion power? Certainly there will still be enormous Bremsstrahlung losses?

mheslep

 

[Astronuc]

I know George and have interfaced with him over the years, and I used Tom's book Fusion Research. I had all three volumes, but can only find Vol 1.

However - Huzzah! - I found it online!

http://www.fusionnow.org/dolan.html

It is dated - 25 yrs old now - but it is a good resource. It also has some errors so be careful how one uses the equations and data.

 

[mheslep]

] .. but it is a good resource.

Understatement. Its a fusion Britannica; old or no I don't understand why its not more widely referenced - I came across it by accident. It would eliminate 95% of the FAQs for those new to the field.

 

[Astronuc]

Understatement. Its a fusion Britannica; old or no I don't understand why its not more widely referenced - I came across it by accident. It would eliminate 95% of the FAQs for those new to the field.

Yeah - I concur. l love those books!

It is the best single source on the state of the art in 1982.


In fact there is one reference on materials that refers to a report George Miley did way back when. So I called George to ask him about it, since no one else could remember what happened to the report or the data. He didn't remember either! And that was about 25 years ago.