Laser Assisted Pinched Field Fusion Reactor for Space Applications

sg micheal, 06/MAR/2010

Abstract: a three stage fusion reactor intended for space applications is conceptually
developed and compared to an older design determined infeasible.

The previous design included three stages: plasma initiation – confinement area one, a
helical progressively confined plasma compression stage – area two, and third – the
intended fusion zone. Magnetically, stage one was spherical with magnetic valves fore
and aft. Plasma excitation performed by radio frequency saturation. Supply is liquid
deuterium. Stage two was physically conical with apex aft and ‘base’ fore – infrared
reflection toward stage one to enhance plasma excitation. Reflectors were conical wall
configurations with focal range within stage one. Intended magnetic configuration of
zone two was to progressively confine plasma to fusion threshold. But the conceptual
error not identified initially is the plasma spillage along the length of zone two effectively
nullifying any practicality. Another conceptual failure was plasma initiation in zone three
– nothing was accounted for to produce the extreme pressure/density/temperature
required for fusion to occur.

It is hoped this second conceptual design rectifies these errors. Stage two is corrected and
made feasible. Stage three is corrected and made feasible. Included are some ideas
concerning energy supply for navigation and life-support systems.

The purpose of this design is to provide both a primary variable thruster and primary
power source for space applications that exceeds specifications for conventional chemical
rocket motors and fuel cell technologies. Safety and reliability are primary concerns
which will be discussed alongside energy for primary systems. As is typical of electro-
mechanical systems, energy conversion is always and obstacle to be overcome – some
suggestions are made in this direction.

Zone one is modified to be a prolate spheroid with elongation fore and aft. Zone two is
modified – no longer helical but still conical with parabolic ring heat reflectors toward
the axis of zone one. All wall material must be magnetically permeable. Progressively
stronger superconducting electromagnets of ring shape, exterior to cone, force the plasma
from fore to aft – progressively confining it along the axis of zone two. Of course, all
valves and plasma progression via magnetic confinement are computer controlled.
Visualize plasma progression similar to food in your esophagus: you swallow and
muscles force the food down toward your stomach. The initial design calls for five
superconducting electromagnets which are powered in sequence to force the plasma from
fore to aft much like food in your esophagus with one exception: plasma is progressively
pinched toward fusion threshold as it passes aft. Zone three is now redesigned to be the
physical end of zone two: a parabolic infrared reflector with focus in zone one. A small
physical opening with associated magnetic valve to control exhaust products and fusion
zone contiguity exists at aft of zone two. Zone three was initially spherical in shape
magnetically but now is likely oblate spheroid with axis collinear with gross axis.
Zone three now requires modification to include laser induced fusion after plasma is
delivered. I suggest two rings of lasers pointing at the core of zone three: one ring points
straight at the core perpendicular to the equatorial surface of the oblate spheroid. A
second ring rests toward the fore and points back and centrally again at the core of zone
three. The reasoning for no more than two rings of lasers is geometry: there simply isn’t
room for more. The parabolic reflector aft of zone three prohibits laser placement there.
The electromagnets surrounding zone two prohibit laser placement there. A note about
timing: fusion initiation must coincide with introduction of a following pre-plasma ‘ball’
into zone one. This is to avoid constantly pumping energy into the rf-exciters. The
purpose of the radio frequency plasma exciters is to drive deuterium gas into the plasma
state initially when the engine is first powered up for a journey. Hopefully, if all goes
well in design and implementation, thrust can be adjusted by rate of introduction of
deuterium gas balls and rate of plasma-balls passing through zone two. Of course, the
laser pulsing rate must correspondingly increase. I surmise the limiting factors
(amounting to maximum thrust) will be duty-cycle of lasers, maximum cooling rate of
sodium loops, and battery capacity. Research needs to be performed about the preferable
laser frequency and frequency of the rf-exciters / antenna configuration. Please write to
me at q2(at)unc.edu if you’re interested in participating in this project. We need to design
and implement some simulations for modeling and demonstration purposes. We need to
make plans about building a prototype. We need to consider other more efficient energy
translation systems.

Now that we’ve discussed overall design, we can move on with other concerns. The
primary products of nuclear reactions are heat and reaction products. The reaction
products will be vented away as rocket exhaust. The primary question in any engineer’s
mind worth his/her salts is: how to convert heat into electricity? My present solution is
unpalatable but unfortunately – ‘the only horse in town’. Molten sodium is typically
employed in fission reactors to extract heat toward steam turbine systems. We will
employ this scenario as a temporary solution until more efficient energy translation
systems are developed.

Two rings of molten sodium rest behind and around the parabolic reflector in zone three.
These are connected to a heat-exchange system which employs conventional steam
turbine technology: the molten sodium loop is interlocked with a liquid water loop which
turns into high pressure steam which drives a turbine. That steam is collected near
another heat-exchange subsystem which translates infrared energy to radiation fins
exterior to the hull of the ship. The turbine is physically connected to an electrical
generator. The collected liquid water is recycled into the interlocked subsystem. High
efficiency molten sodium-sulfur batteries physically ring the exterior of the two cooling
rings but are not chemically connected. The purpose of the battery ring is two-fold: to
provide an energy-sink to stabilize the gross system (powering lasers, rf-exciters, and
magnets) and to provide stable power for ship operations.

Safety consideration: nuclear fusion is unlike nuclear fission – a runaway fission reaction
results in a melt-down of the core and severe radiation contamination locally. Nuclear
fusion is typically extremely hard to induce. Even if the scenario above is technically
feasible, the chances for a nuclear fusion reaction to progress from zone three – spreading
to zone two and one are practically nil considering energy thresholds. There is more
danger from the molten sodium cooling system than the fusion zone. That system needs
careful engineering such that chances are small for subsystem failure causing any
personnel harm. Functionality, reliability, and safety are coequally important concerns in
this scenario. For instance, it may be determined that the engine must be run in an ‘idle
mode’ similar to a conventional internal combustion engine idling – just to keep the
sodium cooling loop molten and batteries functional.

This project and any associated subsystem is suitable for senior/graduate level research
for electrical, mechanical, nuclear, material, and systems engineering majors. Please
consult your advisor about getting university credit for participating in this project.
Anyone who makes a significant and positive contribution to this project will be
recognized for their work on these webpages. Participate in creating a space-faring
civilization; seriously consider participating in this project. Of course, research faculty
and practicing engineers are always welcome to participate. Please indicate your research
area / area of interest / desired contribution area in any correspondence.