How do stellarator vs tokamak generate electicity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms by which stellarators and tokamaks generate electricity from nuclear fusion. Participants explore the processes involved in converting heat energy from fusion reactions into electrical energy, as well as the types of fuel used in these systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how heat energy from fusion in stellarators and tokamaks is utilized to generate electricity.
  • Another participant explains that the plasma geometry does not affect the basic process of heating a liquid or gas to drive a turbine, which then generates electricity.
  • There is a mention that deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion with tritium bred from lithium is considered the most promising fuel for fusion reactors.
  • A participant seeks specifics on how to extract hot gas from generators and inquires about the lithium breeding process.
  • One participant expresses confusion about extracting heat from plasma at extremely high temperatures and how to collect energy from fusion reactions.
  • Another participant notes that fusion reactions release high-energy neutrons that transfer energy to surrounding walls, and thermal radiation from the plasma also contributes to this energy transfer.
  • There is a mention of ongoing research into magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) for direct energy conversion from plasma streams, although it is suggested that stable fusion reactions need to be achieved first.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the processes involved in energy generation from fusion, with some aspects remaining unclear or contested, particularly regarding the specifics of heat extraction and energy collection methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the need for stable fusion reactions for advancements in direct energy conversion technologies, indicating that current methods rely on traditional steam technology.

kodama
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if you can get nuclear fusion in a stellarator vs tokamak how does that heat energy use to drive energy?

also is it d-t from lithium for stellarator vs tokamak or something else?
 
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The plasma geometry doesn't change those parts. You heat some liquid (or gas), make hot gas out of it, drive a turbine which leads to a generator.
D-T with tritium bread from lithium is the most promising fuel for all concepts.
 
mfb said:
The plasma geometry doesn't change those parts. You heat some liquid (or gas), make hot gas out of it, drive a turbine which leads to a generator.
D-T with tritium bread from lithium is the most promising fuel for all concepts.
are there specifics on how to get a hot gas out of these generators? so how is the lithium bread?
 
Did you check the Wikipedia articles? They explain all the basics and have links to more detailed descriptions.
 
kodama said:
are there specifics on how to get a hot gas out of these generators? so how is the lithium bread?
Lithium is usually mined from the ground, and it is the less common isotope, 6Li that is used to produce T.
 
I am missing something here. I understand how a took at or stellarator work, what I am struggling with is how do we get the heat out of a plasma in a stellarator running at 100,000,000 degrees in a quasi loop ? Or if fusion releases loads of energy how do we collect the energy, can somebody comment please?
 
The fusion reaction releases high-energetic neutrons, those are not confined by the plasma (as they are neutral). They release their energy in the surrounding walls. Thermal radiation from the plasma goes to the walls as well.
 
Yes, we are still using steam technology from 200 years ago to generate electricity. Use heat to generate steam to turn a turbine. I thought some people were working on MHD (magneto-hydro dynamics) to directly convert the moving electrons to create electricity from the plasma stream. Maybe they first need to create stable reactions, then they can start working on direct energy conversions.
 

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