What is the most efficient method for heating plasma in fusion reactors?

In summary, the conversation discusses the main plasma heating techniques used in fusion reactor designs, specifically ohmic heating, RF, neutral beam, and some other method. The question of which method is the most efficient in terms of converting input electricity to direct heat or kinetic energy of plasma particles is raised. The possibility of achieving higher fusion temperatures by increasing gas and plasma density and using ohmic heating is also considered. The idea of using a low voltage high current source to create an arc or ionization channel in a high pressure D-T gas container and achieving high temperatures and pressures is also mentioned. The conversation ends by questioning the maximum particle energy that could be achieved using this method and suggesting that ohmic heating may be the most efficient mechanism in terms of converting
  • #1
artis
1,481
976
Hi,

of all the main plasma heating techniques employed by multiple fusion reactor designs, namely
1) ohmic heating
2)RF
3)neutral beam
4)some other method?

Which of them is the most efficient in terms of how much of the input electricity gets converted to direct heat/kinetic energy of the plasma particles percentage wise?

Also if we could somehow (for the sake of the argument magically) achieve a much higher gas and resultant plasma density/pressure and still contain it with EM and B fields could we get to much higher fusion temperatures by simply using ohmic heating?
Imagine a sort of gas discharge tube scenario where we have a container filled with high pressure D-T and we have a low voltage high current source and a high voltage starter , we start an arc or ionization channel through the gas by the HV and then the low voltage high current "burns" for some time and creates large temperatures and pressures, I wonder what would be the maximum particle energy achieved in such a way ?
 
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  • #2
PS. just to add i think in terms of how much of the input electricity gets converted to particle kinetic energy , ohmic heating might be the highest efficiency mechanism , am I correct in assuming this?
 

1. What is plasma and why is it used in fusion reactors?

Plasma is a state of matter that consists of highly energized particles. It is used in fusion reactors because it can reach extremely high temperatures, allowing for the fusion of atomic nuclei and the release of large amounts of energy.

2. What are the current methods for heating plasma in fusion reactors?

The two main methods for heating plasma in fusion reactors are ohmic heating, which uses an electric current to heat the plasma, and neutral beam injection, which uses high-energy neutral particles to transfer energy to the plasma.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each heating method?

Ohmic heating is a reliable and efficient method, but it can only heat the plasma to a certain temperature and is limited by the size of the reactor. Neutral beam injection can reach higher temperatures, but it is more complex and expensive to implement.

4. Is there ongoing research for more efficient methods of heating plasma in fusion reactors?

Yes, there is ongoing research to develop new and more efficient methods for heating plasma in fusion reactors. Some examples include using microwaves, lasers, and magnetic fields to heat the plasma.

5. What challenges are scientists facing in finding the most efficient method for heating plasma in fusion reactors?

One of the main challenges is finding a method that can consistently and sustainably heat the plasma to the extremely high temperatures required for fusion. Other challenges include controlling and confining the plasma, as well as managing the intense heat and radiation produced during the fusion process.

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