Can a Small Fusion Cell be Created? | Exploring Confinement Time

In summary, the conversation discusses the potential for creating a small fusion cell and the limitations that may arise due to the low confinement time. It is mentioned that while it is possible to induce fusion with a small particle accelerator, the efficiency is not high enough for practical use. Scaling down a tokamak, a type of fusion reactor, is also discussed and it is noted that it is not possible due to various factors such as the need to adjust the magnetic field and plasma pressure. The impact of reducing the larmor radius is also mentioned, which may result in particles escaping more easily.
  • #1
TESL@
122
8
Can a small fusion cell be created? If no, is it due to low confinement time it would have or something else?

Thank you.
 
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  • #2
What is "small", and what is a "fusion cell"?
It is easy to induce fusion with a small particle accelerator. The efficiency is not high enough to use this for a power plant, but that was not part of the question.
The short timescale of energy loss in small objects is certainly an issue in some (not all) fusion concepts.
 
  • #3
Say I have built a small tokamak of 1:1000 scale factor to ITER, assuming somehow I shrinked it without losing any function. Would it have one thousandth efficiency?
 
  • #4
You cannot scale a tokamak like that.
As an example, you would have to scale the magnetic field up by a factor of 1000, and that alone is completely impossible.
 
  • #5
I don't understand why field should scale up. If the plasma pressure and Beta remain the same, magnetic field should also not change.
 
  • #6
The size of the plasma relative to the Larmor radius would change if you do not adjust the field (or the temperature, but then you can completely forget fusion).
 
  • #7
What happens when the larmor radius stays the same and we reduce the size?
 
  • #8
It gets easier for particles to escape, as that radius depends how much their position orthogonal to the magnetic field varies. In the extreme case, your plasma vessel is smaller than the radius, then the particles will hit the wall within microseconds.
 

1. Can a small fusion cell be created?

Yes, it is possible to create a small fusion cell. Scientists have been working on developing smaller fusion reactors that can produce energy in a more efficient and sustainable way.

2. What is confinement time?

Confinement time refers to the amount of time that plasma can be contained within a fusion reactor before it escapes and loses its energy. The longer the confinement time, the more energy can be produced.

3. How does confinement time affect fusion reactions?

A longer confinement time allows for more fusion reactions to take place, resulting in a higher energy output. It also increases the efficiency of the fusion process and reduces the amount of energy needed to sustain the reaction.

4. What are the challenges in creating a small fusion cell?

One of the main challenges in creating a small fusion cell is finding a way to sustain the high temperatures and pressures needed for fusion reactions to occur. Another challenge is developing materials that can withstand these extreme conditions.

5. What are the potential benefits of a small fusion cell?

A small fusion cell has the potential to be a clean and sustainable source of energy, producing minimal waste and emitting no greenhouse gases. It could also provide a reliable and abundant source of energy for future generations. Additionally, fusion reactions produce significantly more energy than current nuclear reactions, making it a more efficient form of energy production.

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