A news report says that a magnetic fusion plasma reaching breakeven,

PHYSICS · Subjective · Fermi University Physics · Plasma Physics · Earth, Climate & Energy Physics · Energy resources and conversion

Energy from Physics, Ch Fusion as a power plant: gain, beta, wall loading and breeding

Problem

A news report says that a magnetic fusion plasma reaching breakeven, Q=1Q = 1, would let a power plant supply net electricity. Test the claim on the plant of the chapter's worked example: blanket multiplication M=1.15M = 1.15, thermal and heating efficiencies ηth=ηh=0.4\eta_{\rm th} = \eta_{\rm h} = 0.4, and a house load of 55 per cent of gross output. (a) Show that, with Paux=Pfus/QP_{\rm aux} = P_{\rm fus}/Q, the engineering gain is QE=1/[1ηhηth((0.8M+0.2)Q+1)+0.05].Q_E = 1\Big/\left[\frac{1}{\eta_{\rm h}\eta_{\rm th}\left((0.8M + 0.2)Q + 1\right)} + 0.05\right]. (b) Find QEQ_E at Q=1Q = 1 and say whether the claim holds. (c) Find the plasma gain QQ at which QE=3Q_E = 3.

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