Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Fusion
Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Fusion

Author: George H. Miley

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-12-12

Total Pages: 415

ISBN-13: 1461493382

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This book provides readers with an introductory understanding of Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC), a type of fusion meant to retain plasma using an electrostatic field. IEC provides a unique approach for plasma confinement, as it offers a number of spin-off applications, such as a small neutron source for Neutron Activity Analysis (NAA), that all work towards creating fusion power. The IEC has been identified in recent times as an ideal fusion power unit because of its ability to burn aneutronic fuels like p-B11 as a result of its non-Maxwellian plasma dominated by beam-like ions. This type of fusion also takes place in a simple mechanical structure small in size, which also contributes to its viability as a source of power. This book posits that the ability to study the physics of IEC in very small volume plasmas makes it possible to rapidly investigate a design to create a power-producing device on a much larger scale. Along with this hypothesis the book also includes a conceptual experiment proposed for demonstrating breakeven conditions for using p-B11 in a hydrogen plasma simulation. This book also: Offers an in-depth look, from introductory basics to experimental simulation, of Inertial Electrostatic Confinement, an emerging method for generating fusion power Discusses how the Inertial Electrostatic Confinement method can be applied to other applications besides fusion through theoretical experiments in the text Details the study of the physics of Inertial Electrostatic Confinement in small-volume plasmas and suggests that their rapid reproduction could lead to the creation of a large-scale power-producing device Perfect for researchers and students working with nuclear fusion, Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Fusion: Fundamentals and Applications also offers the current experimental status of IEC research, details supporting theories in the field and introduces other potential applications that stem from IEC.

Improving Particle Confinement in Inertial Electrostatic Fusion for Spacecraft Power and Propulsion
Improving Particle Confinement in Inertial Electrostatic Fusion for Spacecraft Power and Propulsion

Author: Carl Dietrich

Publisher:

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13:

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Fusion energy is attractive for use in future spacecraft because of improved fuel energy density and reduced radioactivity compared with fission power. Unfortunately, the most promising means of generating fusion power on the ground (Tokamak based reactors like ITER and inertial confinement reactors like NIF) require very large and heavy structures for power supplies and magnets, in the case of magnetic confinement, or capacitors and lasers in the case of inertial confinement. The mass of these reactors and support equipment is sufficiently large that no existing or planned heavy-lift vehicle could launch such a reactor, thereby necessitating in-space construction which would substantially increase the cost of the endeavor. The scaling of Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) is such that high power densities might be achievable in small, light-weight reactors, potentially enabling more rapid, lower cost development of fusion power and propulsion systems for space applications. The primary focus of the research into improving particle and energy confinement in IEC systems is based on the idea of electrostatic ion focusing in a spherically symmetric gridded IEC system.

Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Thruster (IECT)
Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Thruster (IECT)

Author: Yung-An Chan

Publisher: Cuvillier Verlag

Published: 2022-09-19

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 3736966776

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This work summarizes the state-of-the-art development of inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) thruster, which can be divided into two parallel lines of development: the IEC plasma source and the corresponding electromagnetic nozzle (EMN). Both developing lines start from the establishment of the theory and modeling and evolve to the design implementation and experimental verification. The IEC discharge model highlights a novel perspective on the IEC discharge physics and the impacts of the respective critical parameters, which layouts the design for the IEC plasma source. Experimental verification for the theory is demonstrated via the optical emission spectroscopy and collision radiative model. The results provide conclusive evidence of forming a spherical double layer within the IEC plasma source, which is the key to establishing the proposed IEC discharge theory in this work. This work presents a comprehensive study on the magnetohydrodynamic theory for assessing the plasma acceleration in the magnetic nozzle. Nevertheless, the result shows a performance limitation of the magnetic nozzle. An innovative invention is proposed to overcome the limitation known as the EMN. Thorough descriptions of EMN and its working principle are summarized in this work, including its effects on plasma confinement, acceleration, and detachment. Investigation of the plasma plume properties by miscellaneous plasma diagnostics tools further demonstrates EMN functionality and constitutes the first IECT prototype with proof-of-concept in literature.

A Method for Active Space Charge Neutralization in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Nuclear Fusion Device
A Method for Active Space Charge Neutralization in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) Nuclear Fusion Device

Author: Brendan Sporer

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Recent inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion concepts are discussed and their shortcomings noted. Ion space charge is substantiated as a significant hindrance to high efficiencies, so a method for space charge neutralization in an ion-injected IEC device is proposed. An electrostatically- plugged magnetic trap is used to confine electrons in the core region of a planar electrostatic trap for ions. The electrons act to dynamically neutralize the space charge created by converging ions for the purpose of increasing achievable core density and fusion rates. An electrostatic trap utilizing this method of neutralization is termed the plasma-core planar electrostatic trap, or PCPET. COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3 is used to model the electromagnetic fields of the PCPET and compute lone ion and electron trajectories within them. In the proper configuration, ions are shown to be stably confined in the trap for many hundreds of oscillations, potentially much longer. Electrons are confined virtually infinitely in the central electrostatically-plugged cusp. For both species, upscatter into source electrodes seems to be the dominant loss mechanism. Adjusting the electron energy and behavior in the core to provide the optimum neutralization for ions is discussed. Ion synchronization behavior can be controlled with RF signals applied to the anode. Two operational modes are identified and discriminated by the state of ion synchronization. Further experimentation is needed to determine which mode produces the optimal neutralization and fusion rate. An experimental prototype PCPET is constructed out of 3D-printed PLA and machined aluminum.

Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems and Integration
Future Spacecraft Propulsion Systems and Integration

Author: Paul A. Czysz

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-08-30

Total Pages: 515

ISBN-13: 3662547449

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The updated and expanded third edition of this book focuses on the multi-disciplinary coupling between flight-vehicle hardware alternatives and enabling propulsion systems. It discusses how to match near-term and far-term aerospace vehicles to missions and provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, directly contributing to the next-generation space infrastructure, from space tourism to space exploration. This holistic treatment defines a mission portfolio addressing near-term to long-term space transportation needs covering sub-orbital, orbital and escape flight profiles. In this context, a vehicle configuration classification is introduced covering alternatives starting from the dawn of space access. A best-practice parametric sizing approach is introduced to correctly design the flight vehicle for the mission. This technique balances required mission with the available vehicle solution space and is an essential capability sought after by technology forecasters and strategic planners alike.

Design Methodologies for Space Transportation Systems
Design Methodologies for Space Transportation Systems

Author: Walter Edward Hammond

Publisher: AIAA

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 906

ISBN-13: 9781600860454

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Annotation "Design Methodologies for Space Transportation Systems is a sequel to the author's earlier text, "Space Transportation: A Systems Approach to Analysis and Design. Both texts represent the most comprehensive exposition of the existing knowledge and practice in the design and project management of space transportation systems, and they reflect a wealth of experience by the author with the design and management of space systems. The text discusses new conceptual changes in the design philosophy away from multistage expendable vehicles to winged, reusable launch vehicles and presents an overview of the systems engineering and vehicle design process as well as systems trades and analysis. Individual chapters are devoted to specific disciplines such as aerodynamics, aerothermal analysis, structures, materials, propulsion, flight mechanics and trajectories, avionics and computers, and control systems. The final chapters deal with human factors, payload, launch and mission operations, safety, and mission assurance. The two texts by the author provide a valuable source of information for the space transportation community of designers, operators, and managers. A companion CD-ROM succinctly packages some oversized figures and tables, resources for systems engineering and launch ranges, and a compendium of software programs. The computer programs include the USAF AIRPLANE AND MISSILE DATCOM CODES (with extensive documentation); COSTMODL for software costing; OPGUID launch vehicle trajectory generator; SUPERFLO-a series of 11 programs intended for solving compressible flow problems in ducts and pipes found in industrial facilities; and a wealth of Microsoft Excel spreadsheet programs covering thedisciplines of statistics, vehicle trajectories, propulsion performance, math utilities,