How do stellarator vs tokamak generate electicity?

  • Thread starter kodama
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In summary, the plasma geometry does not change in tokamaks and stellarators, the heat is generated by heating a liquid or gas, making hot gas out of it, and driving a turbine which leads to a generator. In tokamaks, lithium is the most promising fuel, and there are specifics on how to get a hot gas out of these generators. MHD may be necessary to directly convert the moving electrons to create electricity from the plasma stream.
  • #1
kodama
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if you can get nuclear fusion in a stellarator vs tokamak how does that heat energy use to drive energy?

also is it d-t from lithium for stellarator vs tokamak or something else?
 
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  • #2
The plasma geometry doesn't change those parts. You heat some liquid (or gas), make hot gas out of it, drive a turbine which leads to a generator.
D-T with tritium bread from lithium is the most promising fuel for all concepts.
 
  • #3
mfb said:
The plasma geometry doesn't change those parts. You heat some liquid (or gas), make hot gas out of it, drive a turbine which leads to a generator.
D-T with tritium bread from lithium is the most promising fuel for all concepts.
are there specifics on how to get a hot gas out of these generators? so how is the lithium bread?
 
  • #4
Did you check the Wikipedia articles? They explain all the basics and have links to more detailed descriptions.
 
  • #5
kodama said:
are there specifics on how to get a hot gas out of these generators? so how is the lithium bread?
Lithium is usually mined from the ground, and it is the less common isotope, 6Li that is used to produce T.
 
  • #6
I am missing something here. I understand how a took at or stellarator work, what I am struggling with is how do we get the heat out of a plasma in a stellarator running at 100,000,000 degrees in a quasi loop ? Or if fusion releases loads of energy how do we collect the energy, can somebody comment please?
 
  • #7
The fusion reaction releases high-energetic neutrons, those are not confined by the plasma (as they are neutral). They release their energy in the surrounding walls. Thermal radiation from the plasma goes to the walls as well.
 
  • #8
Yes, we are still using steam technology from 200 years ago to generate electricity. Use heat to generate steam to turn a turbine. I thought some people were working on MHD (magneto-hydro dynamics) to directly convert the moving electrons to create electricity from the plasma stream. Maybe they first need to create stable reactions, then they can start working on direct energy conversions.
 

Related to How do stellarator vs tokamak generate electicity?

1. What is the difference between a stellarator and a tokamak?

A stellarator and a tokamak are both types of fusion reactors. The main difference between the two is their shape and method of containing the plasma. A stellarator has a twisted, three-dimensional shape, while a tokamak has a doughnut-shaped, or toroidal, design.

2. How do both stellarators and tokamaks generate electricity?

Both stellarators and tokamaks generate electricity through the process of nuclear fusion, which is the same process that powers the sun. In this process, the nuclei of light atoms, such as hydrogen, fuse together to form heavier nuclei, releasing large amounts of energy in the process.

3. What fuels are used in stellarators and tokamaks?

The main fuel used in both stellarators and tokamaks is a combination of hydrogen isotopes, specifically deuterium and tritium. These fuels are readily available and produce large amounts of energy when fused together.

4. How do stellarators and tokamaks contain the extremely hot plasma?

Stellarators use a complex magnetic field created by external magnets to confine the plasma and prevent it from coming into contact with the walls of the reactor. Tokamaks, on the other hand, use a combination of external and internal magnets to create a toroidal magnetic field that contains the plasma in the center of the reactor.

5. What are the challenges in creating a functional stellarator or tokamak reactor?

One of the main challenges in creating a functional stellarator or tokamak reactor is maintaining the extremely high temperatures and pressures needed for nuclear fusion to occur. Additionally, the magnetic fields used to contain the plasma must be carefully designed and controlled to prevent disruptions and maintain stability in the reactor.

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