tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30976176.post2018873298013216385..comments2023-08-12T03:37:46.163-05:00Comments on DCS Security: Fusion - Some thoughts on TokamakJim Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15676746489123643303noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30976176.post-42384925450296520682007-09-04T03:00:00.000-05:002007-09-04T03:00:00.000-05:00Bussard Reactor FundedI have inside info that is v...<A HREF="http://powerandcontrol.blogspot.com/2007/08/bussard-reactor-funded.html" REL="nofollow">Bussard Reactor Funded</A><BR/><BR/>I have inside info that is very reliable and multiply confirmed that validates the above story. I am not at liberty to say more. Expect a public announcement from the Navy in the coming weeks.<BR/><BR/>Thought you might be interestedM. Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09508934110558197375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30976176.post-29896065915127929902007-04-30T21:29:00.000-05:002007-04-30T21:29:00.000-05:00You are completely right about the need to address...You are completely right about the need to address fossil fuel problems from supply to politics to their impact on the atmospheric CO2 levels. Fission has some significant problems in the long run due to the long lived isotopes. This can be partially offset by using the approach that the French and Japanese of reprocessing the fuel. Unfortunately that is an option that Jimmy Carter precluded here in the US (albeit for pretty good reasons). In the long run even this approach is not going to work out. As for the Fast ignition laser fusion approach it still uses neutrons as the heat transfer mechanism. This means it is not just a matter of better materials but also of materials that stay better as they undergo neutron absorption and change to other materials. It may be possible but it will mean some incredibly sophisticated engineering to become economically viable. If every year or two half of the reactor has to be replaced due to neutron induced changes it will be a significant cost. If the half that was removed has to be isolated for 30+ years because it is highly radioactive I am not sure it would ever be feasible.<BR/><BR/>There might be a way to use the other resultant fusion products to serve as the primary energy transfer mechanisms. This would seem to be more viable in laser ignition than in a toroidal field design due to the fact that the magnetic containment essential in the Tokamak's isn't required.<BR/><BR/>In short I am not sure. I'm learning a lot though and enjoy the question.Jim Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15676746489123643303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30976176.post-26700965398393484752007-04-30T14:12:00.000-05:002007-04-30T14:12:00.000-05:00Are you as sceptical about "fast Ignition Laser Fu...Are you as sceptical about "fast Ignition Laser Fusion" (Inertial Confinement) as you seem to be about the Tokamak approach ? HiPER Laser submits to Brussels on 02 May for development funding and, although you are right that there are significant issues still to be solved, not least in the materials field, given the mess the world seems to be running into with massive and rapidly growing dependence on fossil energy, if we don't give fusion energy (both Tokamak and Laser) every chance, by the time we are forced to face the problem it will be too late to start the development work. However hard we try to make the best of renewable energy sources, there is no hope of meeting the huge energy demands without fossil fuels, even if we go for the next generation of fission reactors (which unfortunately we must)... or am I missing something ?<BR/>JPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com