From: Mike Rosing <rosing@neurophys.wisc.edu>
Newsgroups: sci.physics.plasma
Subject: Re: "Shperamak" and lithium
Organization: Medical Electronics Lab.
References: <a7scsl$fs7j$1@saturn.cs.uml.edu>


ejd wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> The conceptual designs that I have heard for a tokamak type fusion energy
> generation plant will rely on a layer of lithium to absorb neutrons to
> capture the energy from the confined plasma. In the newer "spheramak"
> design it is intended to have a weaker constraining field.
>
> My question is will the layer of lithium still be used? Will it have an
> effect on the containment of the plasma? And if there is to be some other
> type of energy transfer material what would that be?


howdy eric,

you need something out there to absorb the neutrons. They are the major
source of energy output. And neutrons cause havac with containment
vessels.
So using some kind of liquid surface that's constantly replaced makes a
lot of sense. Lithium isn't such a great idea - it's highly reactive
stuff.
But something that can be changed during operations as a first wall is
going
to be necessary.

Unless you build something like the hybrids - use fusion to make fast
neutrons
and use uranium walls to make plutonium for regular nuclear reactors.
Then
the walls get replaced and the "containment" isn't quite the same thing.

Patience, persistence, truth,
Dr. mike