Speaker
Dr
Alexander Dunaevsky
(Tri Alpha Energy)
Description
Alternative to DT fusion fuels such as pB11 could provide truly clean and abundant energy source. Projection to pB11 reactor based on advanced, neutral beam driven FRC plasma configuration developed in TAE will be discussed in the presentation. New data for pB11 cross section1) predict higher fusion rates than it was assumed before and opens possibility to achieve higher Q than it was expected earlier 2). Although fusion reactivity of pB11 is higher than or comparable with other alternative fuels it requires higher plasma temperature. FRC plasma configuration provides a unique opportunity to reach plasma temperature needed for pB11 burn. Low magnetic field allows avoid excessive synchrotron radiation from plasma and favorable scaling of plasma confinement with temperature makes it possible to reach the required $n\tau$. Potential candidates for design points for the future pB11 device are presented. Physics and engineering issues of creating a viable plasma energy generator based on pB11 reaction are discussed.
1) S. Stave et al., Phys Letters B, 696 (2011) 26–29
2) W.M. Nevins, Journal of Fusion Technology, 1998
Primary author
Sergei Putvinski
(Trialpha Energy)
