Questions about fusion (from a high-schooler)

[Astronuc]

This seems (at least from my POV) to be a really low tech and inefficient way to turn the heat into actual work. The turbine method was invented in the 19th century, surely there must be a more advanced method for getting work out of it. The Tokamak operates on plasmas, maybe that could be utilized somehow.

Well, nuclear systems generate thermal energy, so they are a fancy way to generate heat, which is usually transferred to a working fluid. The working fluid(s) transfer energy and momentum to turbomachinery, which is used to drive a generator to produce electricity.

In the case of a plasma, two possibilities are extracting energy directly from the plasma as it expands against the magnetic field, or use charge separation. The strategy depends on the system geometry, i.e. plasma confinement and magnetic field configuration.

 

[aquitaine]

In the case of a plasma, two possibilities are extracting energy directly from the plasma as it expands against the magnetic field, or use charge separation. The strategy depends on the system geometry, i.e. plasma confinement and magnetic field configuration.

How much energy can we theoretically get out of a system like this? How much more (or less) efficient is it?

Well, nuclear systems generate thermal energy, so they are a fancy way to generate heat, which is usually transferred to a working fluid. The working fluid(s) transfer energy and momentum to turbomachinery, which is used to drive a generator to produce electricity.

True, and so for fission there isn't anyother way. But fusion doesn't just make steam, it makes plasma and so maybe we can use that directly instead of having to go through working fluids.