the field-reversed configuration as a practical fusion reactor core · 2019-07-17 · the...
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The Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) as a
Practical Fusion Reactor CoreEdward DeWit, Jordan Morelli
Department of Physics, Engineering Physics, and Astronomy
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
CAP Congress
June 4, 2019
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Outline
Topics to be discussed• The case for fusion• Basic fusion physics• Basic FRC description• Brief history of FRC research• Technical benefits of the FRC• Results from TAE• Edge-biasing experiment• Summary and conclusion
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FIG: Conceptual drawing of the field-reversed configuration (FRC)
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The case for fusion
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The world needs energy
Best case≈ 2 ×
Realistic scenario“Do nothing”
Worst case
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Global energy
consumption until 2100.
IIASA–WEC Study
“Global Energy
Perspectives”
Kikuchi, M., Lackner, K., and Tran, M. Q. (2012).
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Traditional sources of energy
Fossil fuels are• In limited supply• Polluting• Geographically contested• Archaic
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Traditional sources of energy (cont’d.)
Solar and wind are• Intermittent• Low density
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Traditional sources of energy (cont’d.)
Nuclear fission is dangerous• Radioactive waste• Meltdown scenarios• Proliferation of weapons
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Nuclear fusion
Benefits of nuclear fusion• Energy dense• Unlimited, low cost fuel supply• No proliferation issues• No possibility of meltdown• No long-lived radioactive waste• Thermal or direct energy
conversion options
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Basic fusion physics
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Fusion in the sun
4𝑝 → 4𝐻𝑒 + 2𝑒+ + 2𝜈𝑒
Proton-proton chain reaction
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Fusion fuel
11Kikuchi, M., Lackner, K., and Tran, M. Q. (2012).
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Main approaches to fusion on Earth
Magnetic confinement fusion Inertial confinement fusion
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https://www.iter.org/ https://lasers.llnl.gov/
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Maxwell-Boltzmann and nuclear potential
13
Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
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Alternative approaches to fusion
14Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
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Basic FRC description
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FRC formation and structure
Steps of theta-pinch formation1. Pre-ionization2. Field reversal3. Radial compression and field line
connection4. Axial contraction5. Equilibrium
16Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
FIG: FRC formation in theta-pinch coils
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Compact toroid
𝐴𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 =𝑅
𝑎
17Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
FIG: Schematic diagram of a spheromak
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Comparison to Tokamak and Stellarator
18
Ongena, J., Koch, R., Wolf, R., and Zohm, H. Nature Physics 12, 398 EP – May (2016).
FIG: Artist rendering of the ITER tokamak FIG: Artist rendering of Wendelstein-7x stellarator
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Brief history of FRC research
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Early FRC research eraPioneering experiments
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FIG: Early FRC schematic
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Early FRC research era (cont’d.)Mitigation of the rotational instability
21FIG: Elliptical deformation of FRC due to onset of rotational instability
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Modern FRC research era
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Modern FRC research era (cont’d.)
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Technical benefits of the FRC
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Simple linear geometry
Physics of FRC geometry• Axial magnetic field• Radial pressure gradient• Azimuthal plasma rotation
𝑣⊥ =𝐸 × 𝐵
𝐵2−∇𝑝 × 𝐵
𝑞𝑛𝐵2𝜃
• Diamagnetic current
𝑗𝐷 = 𝑛𝑒 𝑣𝐷𝑖 − 𝑣𝐷𝑒
25Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
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Simple magnetic topologyMagnetic mirrors
Grad-B drift
𝑣∇𝐵 = ±1
2𝑣⊥𝑟𝐿
𝐵 × ∇𝐵
𝐵226
Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
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Simple magnetic topologyCurvature drift
Curved vacuum field
𝑣𝑅 + 𝑣∇𝐵 =𝑚
𝑞𝑣∥2 +
1
2𝑣⊥2
𝑅𝑐 × 𝐵
𝑅𝑐2𝐵2
• Not present in FRCs• Causes reactor damage in
tokamaks• Complex stellarator field coils
27Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
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High plasma pressure
FRC magnetic efficiency• Low magnetic field strength, ∼ 1𝑇• High beta
𝛽 =𝑛𝑘𝐵𝑇
𝐵2/2𝜇0∼ 1
• Large temperatures per unit magnetic field
• Aneutronic fusion capable!
𝑝 + 11𝐵 → 3𝛼
28Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
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Natural Diverter
Particle extraction and direct energy conversion
• Particles follow open magneticfield lines
• Electrodes at the diverters can collect charged fusion products
• Electricity can be generateddirectly from ionic flow in plasma
Particle extraction and direct energy conversion
29Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
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Translation
Translation trapping• Translated by magnetic field
gradients• Confined by magnetic mirrors• Kinetic to thermal energy
conversion
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Gradient magnetic fields
FIG: Magnetic field gradient and mirror coils
FIG: Early translation trapping experiment
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Results from TAE
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Tri Alpha EnergyC-2U confinement chamber
32Binderbauer, et al. Physics of Plasmas 22(5), 056110 (2015).
Operating ParametersExternal magnetic field – 1 TElectron density – 3 × 1019
Ion temperature – 600 eVElectron temperature – 150 eV 75 ft x 35 ft x 25 ft
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Tri Alpha Energy (cont’d.)FRC formation by collisional merging
33Binderbauer, et al. Physics of Plasmas 22(5), 056110 (2015).
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High performance FRCRecord FRC confinement
34Binderbauer, et al. Physics of Plasmas 22(5), 056110 (2015).
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High performance FRCCorrelation with neutral beam power
35Binderbauer, et al. Physics of Plasmas 22(5), 056110 (2015).
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Role of edge-biasingFluid drifts
36Binderbauer, et al. Physics of Plasmas 22(5), 056110 (2015).
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Role of edge-biasingMitigation of rotational instability
37Binderbauer, et al. Physics of Plasmas 22(5), 056110 (2015).
FIG: Particle trajectory in FRC
FIG: Measurement of line-integrated density
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Edge-biasing experiment
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Summer research project at Nihon UniversityFAT-CM experiment
39https://www.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp/research/facilities/lebra_a.html
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Summer research project at Nihon University (cont’d.) Edge-biasing of an FRC plasma
z
-1.0 [m] -0.5 0
Mirror coil
Gas puff
rMidplane
Central coil
Objectives• Experimentally and theoretically
verify the possibility of global and microscopic stability
• Radial electric field applied by biasing from the end regions of formation chamber
• Stabilization by driven toroidal flow shear and reduced spin-up
40
FIG: Conceptual drawing of coaxial layered biasing electrodes
*Learn more about this at the poster session
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Summary and conclusion
• The FRC is a practical means of harnessing fusion power• Simple geometry
• Simple magnetic topology
• High-beta
• Natural divertor
• Translatable
• Recent advancements have enabled high performance FRCs• Collisional merging
• Neutral beam injection
• Edge-biasing
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Acknowledgements
Queen’s University supported this work through generous scholarships
Future work will be funded in part by Mitacs and JSPS
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References
[1] Kolb, A., Dobbie, C., and Griem, H. Physical Review Letters 3(1), 5 (1959).
[2] Armstrong, W., et al. The Physics of Fluids 24(11), 2068{2089 (1981).
[3] Tuszewski, M. Nuclear Fusion 28(11), 2033 (1988).6
[4] Steinhauer, L. C. Physics of Plasmas 18(7), 070501 (2011).
[5] Ohi, S., et al. Physical review letters 51(12), 1042 (1983).
[6] Tuszewski, et al. Physical review letters 108(25), 255008 (2012).
[7] Binderbauer, et al. Physics of Plasmas 22(5), 056110 (2015).
[8] Hirano, Y., Sekiguchi, J., Matsumoto, T., Asai, et al. Nuclear Fusion 58(1), 016004 (2017).
[9] Chen, F. F. Introduction to plasma physics and controlled fusion, volume 3. Springer, (2015).
[10] Miyamoto, K. et al. Plasma physics for controlled fusion, volume 92. Springer, (2016).
[11] Kikuchi, M., Lackner, K., and Tran, M. Q. (2012).
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