Image: Pinterest
Originally, the image above this text portrayed a donut-shaped space station called "Stanford torus". But it can also portray the donut-shaped power satellite, that uses the "Tokamak-type" nuclear reactor. This type of power station could deliver energy to the futuristic space stations that orbit Jupiter and other planets in the distant future.
The power satellites or zero-gravity conditions can solve some of the problems of the fusion reactor. The zero-gravity conditions are making it easier to control the high-energetic plasma. That orbits in the donut-shaped reactor.
At the beginning of this text, I must write about one of the most futuristic solutions for energy production. That thing is the energy satellites. The giant power stations that are orbiting Earth and deliver energy to the ground by using radio, laser rays, or targeted microwaves. The problem with those satellites is that they are easy to turn to weapons. And powerful microwaves or laser rays can turn the city to ash.
Another problem with that kind of power station is that their size is extremely big. If we want to make the solar-power satellites that are delivering energy to the entire Earth. The size of the solar panels would be enormous. Of course, there would be a large group of those satellites but the project would be enormous.
The power satellites can equip with a fusion reactor. That thing can position far away from Earth and in the case of accidents that don't danger things on earth. The fusion system requires large wings. Ahat can shine the thermal radiation to the space. Also, if the power satellites are equipped also with solar panels that thing can also use solar energy.
Originally the idea of the orbiting nuclear power plants introduces to use of fission reactors. The idea was that nuclear power plants are orbiting the moon, and in the case of accidents the radioactive debris would drop to the moon.
There is introduced an idea to make the hybrid system, where the microbes are producing methane. The orbiting power stations don't always need nuclear reactors. Also, conventional fuels can use.
Methane is useful for the turbines that are in those satellites. That methane production system was originally made for Mars crafts and Mars stations. But it can use also in orbiting power stations. And the hybrid system where the solar power can connect with methane turbines or fuel cells can make those satellites smaller.
The idea of the system can base the idea that the exhaust gases will travel through filters where oxygen is separated and reused in the methane burning system. That kind of system can also use at asteroid belts and deep space missions.
https://scitechdaily.com/using-microbes-to-make-martian-rocket-biofuel-on-mars/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_torus
The problem with fusion energy is the intensive heat.
In the fusion system, the temperature is billions of degrees of celsius. That means controlling that system is extremely difficult. There is the possibility. In the case of problems, the control system doesn't have enough time to cut the fuel transfer in the system. And that can cause an explosion. Also if the plasma with billions of celsius would be released in nature that thing can destroy large areas around that leak.
In the fusion reactors, the high-temperature plasma is hovering in the donut-shaped chamber where the magnetic field is pushing it away from the walls. And even a short-term touch with the wall of the chamber can cause that the plasma will impact with air. The temperature of that plasma is higher than in the nucleus of the sun.
And that means it's extremely dangerous even without radioactive radiation. The thermal impact would be destructive. There is the possibility that the infrared radiation from the plasma is pushed back by using counter-radiation. But those systems are extremely futuristic.
https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/fusion-power-future/
Image:https://interestingengineering.com/the-tokamak-reactors-and-how-they-influence-nuclear-fusion
Comments
Post a Comment