WO2013128464A1

WO2013128464A1 - Method and apparatus for generating energy by electrostatic confinement of charged particles

Info

Publication number: WO2013128464A1
Application number: PCT/IN2012/000834
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kapishwar KRISHNA
Original assignee: Krishna Kapishwar
Priority date: 2012-02-29
Filing date: 2012-12-21
Publication date: 2013-09-06

Abstract

A method and apparatus for generating energy by means of electrostatic confinement of charged particles, which is created by repulsion between nuclei itself. Nuclei are generated by ionization step by step and electrons are removed completely from it. A chain reaction is established by ionization and production of electromagnetic radiations by electrons in a self-sustainable way. Product nuclei do not disintegrate as opposite repulsion force from the outer nuclei helps in law of conservation of momentum. Hence there is no production of radioactive waste and neutrons. Output energy in forms of heat can be utilized for many purposes using a cooling assembly.

Description

Method and Apparatus for Generating Energy by

Electrostatic Confinement of Charged Particles

Description

Background of Invention

1. The present invention pertains to method and apparatus for generating nuclear fusion energy by electrostatic confinement of charged particles with minimum input energy and utilizing output fusion energy for production of steam from water. Further steam can be used for many purposes like electricity production etc.

2. The fusion reactions per second are significant in number, so it can be utilized as a practical power source.

3. This invention is stimulated by well-known requirement of finding energy source alternative to fossil fuels not only for overcoming increasing energy demand, but also to protect our environment from carbon content and other pollutants of fossil fuels and from radioactive pollution of fission based nuclear power plants.

4. The most favorable alternative of present era is nuclear fusion based power plant. It produces energy in enormous amount. Also it uses the fuels (deuterium and others) which are present in so large amount that can be utilized for billions of years. Moreover radioactive waste produced by fusion is in small amount and lasted for small time.

5. The development of a self-sustaining, highly efficient and controlled nuclear fusion reactor has been tried for several decades but till date no practical nuclear fusion reactor is able to confine and keep the reactants with enough kinetic energy at the same time so that they can fuse at a very significant rate and release more energy than they consume.

. The three most used confinement techniques (method of fusion) are Magnetic Confined Fusion like (Magnetic Mirror and Tokamak), Inertial Confined Fusion (Laser Fusion) and Electrostatic Confined Fusion (Fransworth-Hirsch Fusor, Bussard Pollywell).

The most promising nuclear fusion reactor design developed and tested of Tokamak type is ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor). The estimated operating time for ITER is 2025 followed by first nuclear fusion based power station in 2035.

The all above mentioned confinement scheme have serious problem that all techniques use fuel in the form of neutral plasma. The basic approach of all techniques is same, like to accelerate the fuel nuclei by ionizing and confining them with a force which is guided by Lawson Criteria.

All modern approaches in research of fusion is based on

a. Increasing confining force in Inertial Confined Fusion by increasing laser power.

b. Reducing loss and increasing confining force in Tokamak type by increasing magnetic field strength of operating magnetic field.

Confining neutral plasma is useless task because fusion is depends on probability that the charged nuclei should in front of each other. Otherwise ionized nuclei will rejoin with electrons. The other problem with this approach is that continuous supply of input energy is required to maintain plasma condition.

Moreover the loss like Bremsstrahlung and synchrotron are due to electrons. If by any method electrons are removed then

a. Probability of fusion of nuclei will increase.

b. No regular input of energy will require to maintain plasma.

c. There will be no loss due to electrons.

The other type fusion like cold fusion produces energy in inexpressive rate. So it cannot be used as practical power source. Most of conventional reactor e.g. Tokamak and Laser fusion usually designed to fuse either deuterium-tritium mixture or deuterium alone which produce 80% of its energy in the form of fast neutrons which induce radioactivity. The Fransworth-Hirsch fusor (US patent no. 3258402, 3386883, 3530036, 3530497, 3533910, 3655508, 3664920) which relies on electrostatic field for acceleration and confinement has unsolvable grid loss problem where grid faces serious loss by collision with positive nuclei.

The Bussard Pollywell (US patent no. 4826646) is based on generating magnetic cusp, injecting electron through the magnetic cusp to create the negative potential, injecting positively charged particles towards it and maintaining the number of electrons greater than number of positively charged particles. The required excess of electron leads to a saturation of reactor limiting its energy production. Also excess of electrons cause excessive electromagnetic radiations (Bremsstrahlung), lowering kinetic energy of plasma and decreasing nuclear fusion rate. .

In summary most of current nuclear fusion reactors approach have no technical feasibility. Some of them are giant and expensive. Most of them consume more energy than they produce. Some of them generate fusion at inexpressive rate. Some of them are very complex and inefficient. Therefore no feasible practical fusion method is present that can be employed as power plant for small scale and large scale energy production.

Most of the reaction of Magnetic and Inertial confined fusion lasted for very small time (in order of nanosecond in case of inertial confined fusion) which cannot be utilized as a practical power source.

Summary of Invention

The present invention was made in view of the prior art drawbacks described above and object of present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for generating fusion energy more than it consume in a self-sustainable way. Energy is produced in an economic, convenient, reliable and repetitive manner without producing radioactive waste material.

To solve the problem of existed confinement scheme the present invention provide a method and apparatus which has unionized fuel gas filled inside the positively charged cylinder connected to a positive terminal of variable voltage source. An outer ring surface is provided as an electron source which produces electron by thermionic emission. Initially high voltage is applied across cylinder so that penetrating type electromagnetic radiations are produced, when electron from ring collide with cylinder wall, which penetrate the cylinder wall and ionize the fuel gas. The electrons produced by ionization of fuel again produce non penetrating type of electromagnetic radiations which again ionize the fuel gas inside the cylinder when low voltage is applied across cylinder. The nuclei are generated step by step and repulsion between first step (inner) nuclei is overcome by repulsion by next step (outer) nuclei that mean a confinement force is generated by repulsion between nuclei itself.

The product nuclei do not disintegrate into two fragments as opposite repulsion force helps in conservation of momentum.

The whole apparatus is made up of preferably high melting tungsten metal. Although copper may be used as a cheap alternative.

A cooling assembly is provided which carry heat away from apparatus by converting water into steam. The steam can be utilized for various purposes. A temperature based regulation is also installed in the apparatus in form of temperature sensor. Objective of Invention

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for generating fusion energy more than it consume.

It is a further object of this invention to provide method and apparatus for confining inner nuclei by the repulsion of outer nuclei.

It is still another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus for fusion so that all electrons related loss like Bremsstrahlung can be removed by removing electrons completely from the fuel nuclei.

It is another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus for fusion so that fusion reaction becomes self-sustaining and lasted for long time and can be employed as a power source in power plant.

It is another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus for fusion so that fusion is carried out at an expressive rate which can be controlled by input voltage. Temperature based regulation is also provided to avoid any damage to the apparatus because of heat.

It is another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus for fusion so that it is able to fuse variety of fuels like deuterium-deuterium (D- D).If proper condition maintained then it will works with multi step reaction (fusion of protium (iH^!)to produce helium (₂He⁴)).

It is another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus for fusion so that fusion product will be non-radioactive which will cause no hazard to environment.

It is another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus for fusion so that heat energy released can be utilized for converting water into steam which can be used for many purposes.

It is another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus for fusion in which ions are generated in a self-sustaining process by electromagnetic radiations. 10. All the objects and features of invention will become apparent from the following description in connection with the appended drawings illustrating preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood that these are given by way of illustration and not of limitation and that changes may be made in the detail construction of material, form and size of the part without affecting the scope of the inyention.

Drawings Figure

Fig.1 is an illustration of preferred embodiment comprised of whole apparatus including cooling assembly and circuit operation.

Fig.2 is an illustration of reaction chamber and cooling assembly.

Fig.3 is an illustration of various circuit connection including primary circuit, secondary circuit and temperature regulation through temperature sensor.

Fig.4 is an illustration of back view of apparatus.

Fig.5 & 6 are an illustration of side views of reaction chamber representing vacuum pump and fuel supply openings.

Fig.7 is an illustration of top view of apparatus.

Fig.8(a) & 8(b) are an illustration of first step of nuclear fusion reaction.

Fig.9(a) & 9(b) are an illustration of second step and so on of fusion reaction. Fig.10 is block diagram for regulation of apparatus through microcontroller.

Fig.11 is a flow chart representing regulatory process.

Reference Numerals in Drawing

1. Reaction chamber (Tungsten)

2. Cooling chamber (Tungsten)

3. Inlet cooling assembly

4. Outlet steam pipe assembly

5. Insulating chamber 6. Vacuum pump inlet for reaction chamber

7. Vacuum pump inlet for insulating chamber

8. Fuel inlet

9. Electron emitting ring surface (Tungsten)

lO.Primary circuit (Variable voltage power supply)

11. Secondary circuit (AC current source)

12. Lead covering

13. Steel covering

14. Temperature sensor

15. Vacuum pump

16. Fuel reservoir

Preferred Embodiment

1. A preferred embodiment comprises a cylindrical reaction chamber of preferably tungsten metal attached with tungsten cooling chambers (Fig. 2). It is covered by a circular ring surface of preferably tungsten which is used to emit the electrons by thermionic emission. Both reaction chamber and cooling chambers are made up of same metal for better conduction of heat.

. The whole apparatus is enclosed in an insulating chamber like Pyrex glass chamber and should be evacuated.

. The whole apparatus has protecting coverings of lead and steel (Fig. 1).

. Reaction chamber also has opening for vacuum pump and fuel gas. There is an inlet for cooling assembly attached to coolant chambers (Fig. 2).

. Now two types of circuits are attached to apparatus. Primary circuit comprises variable voltage source (1-100 KV, 1mA) in which positive terminal is attached to the reaction chamber and negative terminal is grounded. Secondary circuit comprises AC current source (20V, 1 niA) which is attached to the electron emitting ring surface. A temperature sensor is attached to reaction chamber which senses the temperature of reaction chamber within limit and sends the temperature readings to microcontroller.

A microcontroller based regulation is provided with apparatus which controls the two phases of the operation by varying the power supply according to temperature and time which in turn regulate the whole reaction.

Operation of Invention

The whole apparatus operated in two phases. During first phase both primary and secondary circuits are ON. The starting voltage of primary circuit is high i.e. VHIGH. We put value of time T after which the voltage of primary circuit has to be drop down to VLOW (Fig.11).

We will fix the value of V_HI_GH, V_LOW, TEMP_HI_GH and TEMP_Low according to the reaction condition (thickness of reaction vessel, metal used in making vessel and type of fusion reaction used).

After time T, which will decide the extent of ionization of fuel, second phase will start in which voltage across primary becomes low i.e. V_LOw and secondary circuit will be turn OFF (Fig. 11).

Low potential, VLOW, is applied across reaction chamber throughout the process so that ionized nuclei get accelerated by electrostatic repulsion and do not collide with chamber wall. Hence chamber wall does not get damaged. If temperature TEMP < TEMP_LOw (minimum allowed temperature) then again initial condition arrives i.e. secondary circuit will turn ON and voltage across primary circuit will become high, V_HIGH (first phase will start again, Fig.11). If temperature TEMP > TEMP_HIGH (maximum allowed temperature) then both primary and secondary circuit will turn OFF (Fig. 11).

During first phase when primary circuit voltage is VHIGH, electrons are emitted from electron emitting outer ring surface by thermionic emission and produce penetrating type electromagnetic radiations which penetrate the reaction chamber wall and ionize fuel molecules. In second phase when secondary circuit is turned OFF and potential across reaction chamber becomes low i.e. primary circuit voltage is VLOW, electrons produced after ionization produce non penetrating type electromagnetic radiations, which again cause the ionization of fuel. In this way a chain reaction is set up. Electrons are removed from nuclei because negative terminal of primary circuit is grounded (Earthed). Hence electrons are removed permanently from the reaction chamber and no loss is caused by electrons.

Now inner nuclei can be confined and fused by repulsion of outer nuclei. The whole process is carried out in two steps (As shown in Fig. 8(a), 8(b), 9(a) and

9(b)).

During first step (initial) of fusion reaction, confinement of inner nuclei (single lined arrows show the, direction of repulsion force between inner nuclei) by repulsion of outer nuclei (double lined arrows show the direction of repulsion force between outer and inner nuclei) is done in such extent, so that nuclear fusion reaction starts (Fig. 8(a) and 8(b)). Two inner nuclei when get fused, generate a product nuclei which is directed outwardly because of its own kinetic energy (fusion energy).

During second step of fusion reaction, confinement force for middle layer of nuclei is created by fusion force of inner product nuclei and repulsion of outer nuclei. In the Fig. 9(a), 'd' is the product nuclei generated by the fusion in first step, 'a', 'b' and 'c' are the outer nuclei. In the second step, middle layer nuclei i.e. 'b' and 'c' will get fused by the confinement caused by the fusion force of inner product nuclei 'd' and resultant repulsion force of outer nuclei. Bold single lined arrows show the direction of resultant repulsion force of outer nuclei to the product nuclei. Triple lined arrow on the product nuclei 'd' shows the direction of fusion force. Triple lined arrow on the outer nuclei 'c' shows the direction of induced force by the product nuclei 'd'. The double lined arrows on 'a' and 'b' show the direction of repulsion force between outer nuclei. This process will continue till the primary circuit is operating at VLOW. When both primary and secondary circuit is OFF, then kinetic energy of outermost nuclei will become zero because of absence of any confining force and the chain reaction will break down. In this way this fusion process is carried out in a self-sustaining way (Fig. 9(a) and 9(b)).

According to quantum mechanics, nuclear fusion can be studied in the form of transmission probability across barrier. Which is depend upon two factor a. Increment in kinetic energy of fuel nuclei to be fused

b. Decrement in width of barrier between the nuclei

In our confinement technique by repulsion force, potential energy of repulsion is converted into kinetic energy of nuclei. Hence kinetic energy of nuclei increases. Moreover it also decreases the width of barrier by decreasing distance between nuclei. Hence both factor increases the transmission probability across the barrier. Hence when proper confining force accumulated, it tends to more and more confining that means most of the nuclei arrived get fused.

Electrons between the nuclei decrease the confinement force which in turn decreases the resultant outcome. In our confinement technique, there are no electrons present in the reaction chamber as all the electrons are removed. So there is no effect of electrons on confinement force. Hence resultant outcome will not be affected.

In conventional confinement technique, When the product nuclei is obtained, then it disintegrate to follow the law of conservation of momentum as force opposite to the fusion output force is not present. But in our confinement concept, outer nuclei exert force in opposite direction to the fusion output force so that law of conservation of momentum is followed and hence nuclei do not disintegrate which is the cause of non-production of radioactive waste and neutrons. 15. The efficiency of apparatus is more because input energy is very small and which is used only to maintain the positive potential across primary circuit as secondary circuit is turned OFF initially.

Now for input power,

P = VI,

For V = 10⁴ V and I = l(r³mA,

P = 10⁴*10^"3 = 10 W = 10 J/s

Most of this input power is obtained as heat radiations. Only 10% of power i.e. lwatt is utilized for producing electromagnetic radiations for ionization.

Now let 1 mA current produce 6* 10¹⁵ electrons which in turns produces

6*10¹⁵ photons of electromagnetic radiations which ionizes 6*10¹⁵ molecules of deuterium producing 12* 10¹⁵ deuterium nuclei per second.

Avg fusion power output per nuclei of deuterium (approx.) = 7 * 10^"13J Fusion of 12* 10¹⁵ nuclei yield = 12 * 10¹⁵ * 7 * 10^-13

= 8.4 KW = 8400 J/s = 8.4 KJ/s (approx.)

That means it produce very large output energy from very small input energy.

16. This invention serves to remove global warming problem due to carbon content of fossil fuels.

17. Although the above description is most preferred embodiment but changes can be allowed in the terms of size and the choice of material. The above module of apparatus when joined in parallel or series can be used as a full scale power plant of any size.

Conclusion

In this invention, the nuclear fusion reactor is designed in such a way that by employing this as a practical energy source, we can get fusion output energy in very large amount by giving very low input energy which can be utilized for many purposes. It is a self-sustainable, highly efficient reactor and can be controlled easily. Also there is no radioactive hazard to the environment. This energy source is a very suitable source to reduce carbon content of fossil fuels that cause global warming. Hence it is ecofriendly. With some modifications (in terms of size, and material of reaction chamber) and by combining modules of apparatus in series and parallel, it can be used as a full scale power plant. This fusion reactor is relatively inexpensive, uses the fuels which are abundant in nature and have easy engineering and maintenance.

Claims

CLAIM The scope of the invention should be determined not only by the embodiment illustrated but by the appended claims and legal equivalent.

1. A method of confining and fusing nuclei characterized in that said method comprises the steps of

a. A means of generating nuclei by ionization through electromagnetic radiations step by step in a controlled way.

b. Electromagnetic radiations are produced by deceleration of the electrons which are produced by electron emitting ring surface by thermionic emission at first phase and then by ionization of fuel in second phase. c. Free electrons are removed by grounding i.e. electrons move to ground and not present in the reaction chamber.

d. High potential VHIGH is applied across reaction chamber at first phase so that penetrating type of electromagnetic radiations will produced by the electron emitting outer ring. In second phase, the potential across reaction chamber will drop to the low operating potential VLOW so that non penetrating type of electromagnetic radiations are produced which, when reflected back to the reaction chamber, causes further ionization of fuel. e. Low potential, VLOW, is applied across reaction chamber throughout the process so that ionized nuclei get accelerated by electrostatic repulsion and do not collide with chamber wall. Hence chamber walls do not get damaged.

f. Confining force is generated by the repulsion of the outer nuclei on inner nuclei to be fused. It is directed inwardly to overcome the repulsion between inner nuclei.

g. In second step of the reaction, repulsion by outer nuclei and fusion output force of inner nuclei act as confining force for middle layer of nuclei causing further fusion. This second step, when repeated throughout the process, will generate more and more fusion by setting a chain reaction. h. A chain reaction is established as electrons produce electromagnetic radiations which cause ionization of fuel and produce electrons which again produce electromagnetic radiations causing further ionization. That's why reaction will run in self-sustaining way.

i. Due to two opposite forces acting upon the product nuclei (fusion output force and repulsion force by outer nuclei), product nuclei do not disintegrate and hence do not produce radioactive waste and neutrons. j. Due to deceleration of product nuclei, fusion output is found in the form of small frequency heat radiations. It includes the energy conversion from nuclear fusion energy into thermal energy.

k. Heat produced is distributed evenly throughout the surface of reaction chamber which is removed by cooling assembly.

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said method variety of fuel can be used like deuterium-deuterium (D-D).With proper confining condition maintained, it will also work with multi step reaction protiumdH¹) to produce helium (₂He⁴).

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said method potential energy of nuclei converted into kinetic energy by electrostatic repulsion and reduces the width of barrier which in turn increases the transmitting probability across the barrier so that fusion probability increases.

An apparatus of confining and fusing nuclei characterized in that said apparatus comprises the steps of

a. A means of generating nuclei by ionization through electromagnetic radiations step by step in a controlled way. b. Electromagnetic radiations are produced by deceleration of the electrons which are produced by electron emitting ring surface by thermionic emission at first phase and then by ionization of fuel in second phase.

c. Free electrons are removed by grounding i.e. electrons move to ground and not present in the reaction chamber.

d. High potential VHIGH is applied across reaction chamber at first phase so that penetrating type of electromagnetic radiations will produced by the electron emitting outer ring. In second phase, the potential across reaction chamber will drop to the low operating potential VLOW so that non penetrating type of electromagnetic radiations is produced which, when reflected back to the reaction chamber, causes further ionization of fuel. e. Low potential, VLOW, is applied across reaction chamber throughout the process so that ionized nuclei get accelerated by electrostatic repulsion and do not collide with chamber wall. Hence chamber walls do riot get damaged.

g. In second step of the reaction, repulsion by outer nuclei and fusion output force of inner nuclei act as confining force for middle layer of nuclei causing further fusion. This second step, when repeated throughout the process, will generate more and more fusion by setting a chain reaction. h. A chain reaction is established as electrons produce electromagnetic radiations which cause ionization of fuel and _. produce electrons which again produce electromagnetic radiations causing further ionization. That's why reaction will run in self-sustaining way.

i. Due to two opposite forces acting upon the product nuclei (fusion output force and repulsion force by outer nuclei), product nuclei do not disintegrate and hence do not produce radioactive waste and neutrons. j. Due to deceleration of product nuclei fusion output is found in the form of small frequency heat radiations. It includes energy conversion from nuclear fusion energy into thermal energy,

An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said apparatus includes a reaction chamber and an outer electron emitting ring surface, preferably though not necessary, made up of tungsten for carrying the whole reaction. It is enclosed in an insulating chamber having a protective covering of, preferably though not necessary, lead and steel.

An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said apparatus includes a power supply system Comprises

a. Primary circuit which has, preferably though not necessary, a variable voltage supply (1-100 KV) at 1mA regulated by a microcontroller in which positive terminal is attached to reaction chamber and negative terminal being grounded.

b. Secondary circuit is also regulated by a microcontroller, preferably though not necessary, a 20V at 1mA AC current source.

An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said apparatus includes the temperature sensor which regulate the power supply according to the temperature of reaction chamber.

An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said apparatus includes a controlling system which regulates the fusion process automatically according to the variables time T and temperature TEMP.

9. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said apparatus include a timer which decide the time for which primary circuit and secondary circuit have to be ON which in turn decide the extent of the ionization of fuel.

10. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said apparatus include a vacuum pump assembly, fuel supply setup, a cooling assembly in which a coolant like water removes heat.