Why's the target for the commercial version 180Hz(5MW)?

[MTd2]

Considering a net surplus of 30KJ, as it is intended by the team, why the pulse frequency is 180Hz? Why not 10Hz or 100Hz or 500Hz or 1000Hz?

[vansig]

MTd2 wrote: Considering a net surplus of 30KJ, as it is intended by the team, why the pulse frequency is 180Hz? Why not 10Hz or 100Hz or 500Hz or 1000Hz?

i dont know where you get 180 Hz, but a few things factor into this:
1. conversion efficiency; and
2. maintaining the chamber at plasma temperatures for the next shot

(1) is not 100%; and for (2), if i recall correctly, Eric said that at least 1000 pulse/s is preferred.

[MTd2]

30KJ of net energy at each firing x 180 ~ 5MW
Alright, you say 1000Hz, so he expects 5KJ converted for each firing. But, why this value, then? Why not 500Hz or 2000Hz or whatever?

[Allan Brewer]

I imagine that, at this stage, rather than the engineering stage, the cycle rate is arbitrary.

Although the ultimate rate woould be limited by the evolution lifetime of the discharge into plasmoid, it is more likely to be a practical consideration about how fast we can remove waste heat, or how fast capacitors can be charged, discharged and switched. As stated by vansig the minimum rate would need to facilitate efficient maintenance of chamber and contents temperature for initiating the next discharge. There have also been suggestions on this site about a natural resonant rate supported by the electrical parameters, and a flat-out rate without switches where the next discharge can start as soon as sufficient input voltage has built.

[MTd2]

If is arbitrary, why the insistence with 5MW? I think this is at least a very good estimative.

[Lerner]

It’s not arbitraary. Much slower would let the boron condense out and much faster would not allow us to cool the anode sufficeintly.

[vansig]

MTd2 wrote: 30KJ of net energy at each firing x 180 ~ 5MW
Alright, you say 1000Hz, so he expects 5KJ converted for each firing. But, why this value, then? Why not 500Hz or 2000Hz or whatever?

not 5kJ converted; but 5kJ net output after charging for the next shot

[Aeronaut]

vansig wrote:

30KJ of net energy at each firing x 180 ~ 5MW
Alright, you say 1000Hz, so he expects 5KJ converted for each firing. But, why this value, then? Why not 500Hz or 2000Hz or whatever?

not 5kJ converted; but 5kJ net output after charging for the next shot

The value can be whatever your investors and advisors will stand still for in terms of potential output and real output- not to mention the frequency and duration of maintenance overhauls. Iow, there is no simple answer. Here in North America, I prefer evenmultiples of 60hz. Europeans prefer even multiples of 50 hz. Both cases aim for the simplest direct conversion to the local power grid.

[Author]

Posts