Re: Space based VLBI - next steps beyond Hubble

On Apr 21, 2:36 pm, Ian Parker <ianpark...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
There is one decisive reason why Tokomaks are the preferred choice and
this is the nature of the thermonuclear reaction. 80% of the energy of
fusion goes into neutrons in the case of Tritium and protons in the
case of He3. A pellet is much too small to hold this energy. If we are
using magnetic containment protons will spiral in the magnetic field
and contribute to plasma heating.

To get He3/D to fuse requires twice the temperature of T/D but is
gives off protons not neutrons. To use a tritium reaction you need a
heavy blanket of material which is heated/transmuted by neutrons. This
is why I spole of He3 as the fuel of space. He3/D will if magnetically
contained produce a self sustaining reaction. Hot He4/H which is what
we have is the final and only product. It may well be eaasier to
SUSTAIN He3/D than T/D for this reason.

As I have said inertial containment of a pellet loses 80% of the
energy. This is true of both He3 and Tritium.

  - Ian Parker

I see. Well, power to weight and thrust to weight are what you want
to optimize. Using an aneutronic fusor makes things rather efficient
with respect to neutron loss. You seem to be generally knowledgeable
about what's going on around you, you are still clueless about rocket
design however. Consider that as long as 80% of the energy is
directed into a jet producing thrust - it doesn't matter for rocket
applications if its lost to the reaction..
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Moving Sedna (was USA urges scientists to block out sun)
    ... Air Force Research Laboratory and the Chilean Nuclear Energy ... In this reaction 0.1% of the reactions in a thermal p-11B plasma would ... produce neutrons, and the energy of these neutrons would account for ... to benefit humans preferentially over machines and beasts of the ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Space based VLBI - next steps beyond Hubble
    ... this is the nature of the thermonuclear reaction. ... A pellet is much too small to hold this energy. ... gives off protons not neutrons. ... Hydrogen/flouride material is about 3% efficient so you'll need 340 kJ ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: how is it that the Atomic Mass Unit is less than either the
    ... complete with 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. ... the proton and neutron rest mass, ... You need to _add_ energy ...
    (sci.physics.research)
  • Re: Hot Big Bang
    ... Energy is released in an explosion. ... the Big Bang would create protons and neutrons. ... two are helium. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Uh Oh, Discrepancy Alert
    ... with sufficient energy. ... That seems to be about *reactions between protons & positrons*, ... GeV for electrons and 920 GeV for protons yielding a centre-of-mass ... energy available for the reaction) of 318 GeV (1 GeV is the kinetic ...
    (alt.machines.cnc)