Building a prototype

Discuss how polywell fusion works; share theoretical questions and answers.

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cgray45
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2010 10:15 pm
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Building a prototype

Post by cgray45 »

Okay, it's commonly stated that an actual functioning prototype would cost about 200million to make.

Here's a question-- what needs to be done? ARe there serious theoretical and design obstacles that might keep it from being made, or can we confidently say: while we don't know if it will work... we do have a design and it can be built as a proof of concept device?
Check out my blog-- not just about fusion, but anything that attracts this 40 something historians interest.

mattman
Posts: 459
Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 11:14 pm

Re: Building a prototype

Post by mattman »

Charles,

A prototype is part of a broader effort. Here are my thoughts on that. First some news: blog traffic is between 100 and 200 views per day, in the past three weeks. This is exciting. The blog now incorporates results from Khachans May 2013 paper. This description includes those results. For brand new folks this (http://thepolywellblog.blogspot.com/201 ... works.html) will explain how the machine works.

Community-wise: we need to unify focus fusion, fusors and the polywell people. Ideally, it would be great to plug in to the Maker/DIY community (http://artisansasylum.com/), but that might be down the road. Uniting around voting for this MIT contest (http://climatecolab.org/plans/-/plans/c ... Id/1303704) is a great first step. In addition we need to let the people know, that NIF was an awesome failure. Even the experts can get fusion power really wrong.

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Technology-wise, here is a quick review of the important points:

1. The polywell will likely face ion injection problems.
2. Many more electrons will be needed than ions.
3. Electrons must recirculate as much as possible.
4. More vacuum improves operation.
5. Moving the electron emitter farther away will speed up electrons.
6. Stronger magnetic field makes deeper, better wells.
7. Higher electric field makes deeper, better wells. But, this effect is limited.
8. The rings are designed so the magnetic field is uniform in all directions.

This is based off the latest papers and WB6 analysis.

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If I had a startup with some money, here is the plan I would follow:

1. Get a working simulation of the polywell.

2. Benchmark it against WB6, to prove that it works

3. Using simulations, explore a wide range of operating conditions. Publish this. As an example, one could play with the relative energy of different factors.

Image

4. Find modes of operation. We know the fusor has three: converged core mode, star mode, halo mode. The polywell probably has similar modes, with more added on. We must find the best modes to operate in. Below, is just one example of connecting operating space to modes.

Image

Next:
5. Build a small device and run it in these modes of operation. Small is about 10-15 inches.

6. Build a direct converter. Attach a fusor to it, and extract energy from the fusor exhaust

7. Connect direct converter to polywell.

8. Stick a power meter on both inputs and outputs. Run the machine continuously, try and find net power.

9. Get a new product out.

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The Navy and Convergent scientific has probably executed a number of these steps, but since no one is publishing, we do not know where they are in the process. If we reached that point, then we would bring in venture capitalists and patent attorneys. From there, I foresee the US army as a good first market or water desalination (http://thepolywellblog.blogspot.com/201 ... ation.html).


It is very likely that people will pursue this technology. But wither it will works or not, remains to be seen.

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