Re:Helion Energy achieves fusion milestone
by pfdietz on Thursday July 22, 2021 @07:30AM
(#27917658)
As I understand it, they inject two plasmoids into the central solenoid, then compress the merged plasma by increasing the magnetic field there. After a short burn, the magnetic field there is reduced, with the (now hotter) plasma pushing against it. In this last step energy can be withdraw from the magnet and recovered.
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The last step is the one I'm wondering about. You can't just put an electric cable near a 7T magnetic field.
Re:Helion Energy achieves fusion milestone
by pfdietz on Thursday July 22, 2021 @09:09AM
(#27918390)
I think you use an opening switch to divert the current in the magnet into an external load. And yes all the conductors in the magnet experience strong forces; some 60% of the mass of ARC is the stainless steel support needed to resist JxB forces.