Chapter 386 Experimental Dispute
Chapter 386 Experimental Dispute
In the pre-power-on experiment just now, they have successfully used a plasma injector to pressurize and heat 1mg of nitrogen gas, which replaces nuclear fuel, into plasma and injected it into the core reaction device.
The core device also completed a piston pressurization procedure, but because of this level of temperature and pressure, it is obviously impossible for nitrogen atoms to undergo fusion reactions, so this is just a very safe test run.
After the test run, they immediately decided to clean the nitrogen in the device and directly use deuterium-tritium for a formal ignition experiment.
“The magnetic field strength of the ion injector is 6.4T, and the water-cooled divertor is operating normally…”
”Start the ignition program.”
As the experimenter started the program, the temperature in the plasma injector gradually increased, and a total of 0.5mg of deuterium-tritium nuclear fuel was injected into the chamber at a ratio of 2:3, and then heated into plasma, and finally pushed to the reverse magnetic field device by the program-controlled magnetic field, and further pressurized and condensed into a plasma ring to enter the core reactor.
If the normal program design is followed, the entire reaction process may only take a few seconds,
But because it is the first experiment, they are very careful in every link. By the time the ions are injected into the core device, the experiment has passed a minute.
However, after the plasma ring enters the core reactor, they can no longer be cautious and slow,
Because the biggest feature of the magnetized target device is that it does not waste too much electricity to pursue and maintain a strong magnetic field, but uses steam hammers and liquid metals to simply and roughly hammer the plasma, and directly hammers the plasma through physical pressure.
The principle is similar to the firecrackers that children play with during the Chinese New Year.
Because the work is very simple and crude, the energy efficiency ratio of the magnetized target device is several orders of magnitude higher than that of the traditional magnetic confinement device.
This technical principle determines that the entire reaction process needs to be very rapid. If it is slow, the plasma ring will spread in advance, and then collide with the liquid metal attached to the centrifugal device in advance, resulting in ignition failure.
Therefore, as soon as the plasma ring enters the reaction chamber, the steam hammers around the core device immediately pressurize and work at different speeds.
Bang——
With a harsh humming sound from the entire device, the experiment ended.
As for the result…
No need to wait for a specific analysis report,
Byrne only took a look at the situation of the device and knew that it failed this time…
Because the steam hammer did not rebound.
If the ignition is successful, the powerful energy of the nuclear fusion explosion will not only rapidly heat up the liquid metal inside, but also generate a strong impact force to bounce the steam hammer back.
As for the amplitude of the rebound, it mainly depends on how much fuel is given. Therefore, the maximum power of the magnetized target device depends on how much fusion impact the steam hammer can withstand. If the energy of the fuel explosion exceeds the device’s tolerance limit, it will really turn into a miniature hydrogen bomb…
Seeing that all the researchers showed disappointed expressions, Duke, who was always tense, also realized that the results of the experiment must be unsatisfactory, but he still couldn’t help asking Byrne: “What’s the situation?”
”It’s obviously failed…”
Byrne looked at the control panel with some annoyance, frowning and thinking about where the problem was.
About half an hour later, the specific experimental analysis results were delivered to Byrne. Looking at the analysis report, Byrne immediately frowned.
58.3 million degrees?
Compared with the minimum reaction temperature of deuterium-deuterium 10^8 K (about 100 million degrees), the requirements of deuterium-tritium nuclear fusion are much lower. The initial reaction can be started at only 6×10^7 K (about 60 million degrees). According to the design standard of LM-26, after the steam hammer is rapidly pressurized, the temperature of the plasma should be able to rise to more than 70 million degrees.
This design is more than enough in theory, but now it is 11.7 million degrees lower!
Byrne asked puzzledly: “Why is the design temperature so different from the design?” ”We just discussed this issue.” Byrne’s assistant replied, “Dr. Grain analyzed the operating data of the steam hammer and found that the transmission devices of several steam hammers had data anomalies, resulting in slight deviations in the pressurization sequence of the steam hammer. This should be the main reason why the temperature did not meet expectations.”After hearing this, Byrne rubbed his eyes with a headache.
The process standards of these steam hammers are not like those of ordinary steam engines. Each part is specially customized and produced from Hans Country. The precision is only higher than that of aircraft engines.
If the problem occurs with them, it is obvious that the ignition test will definitely not be completed today…
Duke, who had just waited for half an hour, finally couldn’t help asking: “Is there a way to solve it?”
”It should be possible, but it is definitely impossible today…”
Byrne looked at Duke with some guilt: “Sorry, we have really tried our best…”
Hearing Byrne’s answer, Duke suddenly felt like a deflated ball, slumped in his chair as if he had lost his soul.
The Mobil supervisor who also came to watch the experiment but had not spoken all the time was feeling mixed emotions at the moment.
“Mr. Duke, although I am also very sorry for the failure of today’s experiment… but I think it is necessary to remind you again that according to the contract, from tomorrow, Mobil will officially take over General Fusion, and the remaining 50 million will be transferred to General Fusion’s company account tomorrow.”
Duke just opened his mouth and said nothing. He could only watch the Mobil director turn around and leave the laboratory.
After the Mobil director left, Byrne’s assistant suddenly said: “In fact, if you must succeed in ignition today, I have an idea…”
”The temperature of 58.3 million degrees is not much different from the minimum temperature for ignition.”
”If we add some fuel and increase the volume of the plasma, even if the steam hammer applies the same pressure as just now, it can increase the temperature a lot…”
After listening to the assistant’s words, Duke seemed to have grabbed a life-saving straw, and quickly stood up and looked at Byrne.
“This… is theoretically feasible, but it is equivalent to skipping the low-energy level test experiment, and the risk is too high… I think we should follow the normal standards and proceed slowly and cautiously.”
But Duke shook his head indifferently: “Since it is theoretically feasible, why not give it a try? Compared with the successful ignition, I think this risk is completely acceptable.”
”No, you can’t accept it.” Byrne flatly refused, “Adding nuclear fuel, if it succeeds, of course it would be best, but if it fails, do you know how serious the consequences are?”
”How serious?”
”If the ignition still fails, it’s nothing, but if it fails after successful ignition… then the problem is troublesome.”
”At the least, the device will be damaged, and at the worst, more serious experiments will occur. “Duke, although nuclear fusion is relatively safe, it is still a nuclear test after all. We really can’t take this risk!” Duke sneered, “You don’t have to lie to me. Since Crowley has just proposed this plan, the probability of a serious experimental accident is actually very small, right? Although you are the head of the laboratory, don’t forget that I am your boss…” “Soon it won’t be.” Byrne said expressionlessly, “Duke, I think you need to calm down now.” “I can’t calm down!” Duke raised his voice directly, “Before today’s experiment really fails, I still have the final say in general fusion!” “Now, as the CEO of general fusion, I order you to continue the experiment!” (End of this chapter)