In space startup method for nuclear fusion rocket engines [electronic resource]

• Ngôn ngữ: eng
• Ký hiệu phân loại: 629.4 Astronautics
• Thông tin xuất bản: Princeton, N.J. : Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Princeton University. Plasma Physics Laboratory ; Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy, 2019
• Mô tả vật lý: Medium: ED : , digital, PDF file.
• Bộ sưu tập: Metadata
• ID: 255646
• Chủ đề: 1. 08 hydrogen; 2. 30 direct energy conversion; 3. 46 instrumentation related to nuclear science and technology

Tóm tắt

The invention is for a startup system for nuclear fusion engines in space. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen produces heat that is used by a heat engine to produce electricity. This can be supplemented by electricity from other operating engines. The exhaust from the combustion is condensed and electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen once the engine is in operation. This provides a constant source of energy for future startups. The engine is started up at partial power in electricity generation mode and this power replaces the power from the combustion as it grows. The combustor uses the same heat engine as the nuclear engine uses for power generation.