Search found 371 matches

by WizWom
Sat May 22, 2010 5:34 pm
Forum: Theory
Topic: F.O. Question to Collision:Fusion Ratios - DONE
Replies: 39
Views: 12242

Yes, my explanation of a Maxwellian thermal distribution was poor. It would be impossible for ions not to be affected by the magrid. I believe what you meant is the since the ions are from 1836 to 20300 times the mass of the electrons, they will be much more affected by the coulomb force than the ma...
by WizWom
Sat May 22, 2010 5:00 am
Forum: Theory
Topic: F.O. Question to Collision:Fusion Ratios - DONE
Replies: 39
Views: 12242

A thermal plasma would be one where the ions are reasonably close in energy. Each collision will tend to have colliding atoms with energies closer together, rather than farther apart. However, the magnetic cycle will accelerate the ions each time they go on a trip outside the core. In general, the s...
by WizWom
Thu May 20, 2010 4:54 am
Forum: Theory
Topic: Polywell building difficulty compared to other power plants
Replies: 22
Views: 8700

if costs scale as r^3 and power as r^7, then it's very, very easy to make money - just make the plant bigger. But costs do not scale as r^3; there is a sweet valley, and costs go significantly higher outside it. That sweet valley is where liquid nitrogen can cool superconducting magnets, and boil of...
by WizWom
Thu May 20, 2010 3:39 am
Forum: Design
Topic: Falling Through The cracks
Replies: 6
Views: 7199

why not just use induction and make a transformer that's got the primary coil outside the vacuum vessel and the secondary inside?
I mean, you probably have to have a transformer anyway to hit that voltage...
by WizWom
Thu May 20, 2010 3:37 am
Forum: Design
Topic: Polywell in space
Replies: 11
Views: 9132

Micro-Meteorite and Orbital Debris damage is not a probability in LEO... it is a certainty. Less on the micrometeorite side of things and much more on the orbital debris side. One paint fleck at 17000 miles per hour and you're paying for new collector plates... or worse, for a new magrid. From http...
by WizWom
Fri May 14, 2010 2:08 am
Forum: Design
Topic: Polywell in space
Replies: 11
Views: 9132

Polywell in space

One of the power loss mechanisms is "Paschen radiation" - that is, arcing from the plasma to the wall of the vacuum vessel. It would seem that this would be minimized in an open vacuum environment, that is, outer space. It would at the least be limited to 1/6th that in a closed power plant. Another ...
by WizWom
Thu May 13, 2010 11:36 pm
Forum: Theory
Topic: Polywell size and radiation
Replies: 21
Views: 9746

The A4W produces 104 MWe, just about what I said (nominally; actual power is much higher, closer to 250 MWe). A D2G is 150 (from back in the 60s, when we had an all-nuclear task force). Similar power levels are used in Submarines. Besides Wiki and FAS, where are you getting your numbers? Do not for...
by WizWom
Thu May 13, 2010 5:14 am
Forum: Theory
Topic: Polywell size and radiation
Replies: 21
Views: 9746

The A4W produces 104 MWe, just about what I said (nominally; actual power is much higher, closer to 250 MWe). A D2G is 150 (from back in the 60s, when we had an all-nuclear task force). Similar power levels are used in Submarines. Now, as to the power level at which a Polywell breaks even... < http:...
by WizWom
Wed May 12, 2010 10:07 pm
Forum: Theory
Topic: Polywell size and radiation
Replies: 21
Views: 9746

It seems very unlikely you will ever see Polywell fusion in small mobile applications. I would say the lower limit is probably something like a Navy destroyer (~100 tons). Not to quibble, but a Destroyer is about 3000-5000 tons. Some have even been as large as 7000. 100 Tons is a small patrol craft...
by WizWom
Sun May 09, 2010 10:02 pm
Forum: Theory
Topic: "Let me look at you with my own eyes"
Replies: 7
Views: 4617

From what I understand, the ions and electrons must have average energies no higher than the protection afforded by the magnetic grid, this is the "beta-one" level in the literature. Less is less efficient, that is, you'd be using more energy for the protecting magnetic grid than needed; more energy...
by WizWom
Sun May 09, 2010 6:12 pm
Forum: Theory
Topic: "Let me look at you with my own eyes"
Replies: 7
Views: 4617

http://emc2fusion.org/RsltsNFnlConclFmIEFPolyPgm120602.pdf The Literature talks about "Paschen arc breakdown" in the plasma. This is the same effect seen in plasma toys, random bright arcs though the plasma from one conducting surface to another. There will also be the Bremsstrahlung radiation, whi...