Fusion Message Board

In this space, visitors are invited to post any comments, questions, or skeptical observations about Philo T. Farnsworth's contributions to the field of Nuclear Fusion research.

Subject: Re: Fusor Deuterium Consumption
Date: Oct 25, 02:20 am
Poster: Robert E

On Oct 25, 02:20 am, Robert E wrote:

>I was wondering in the Fusors how long do you run a fusor? I was also wondering what is the rate of deuterium consumption and how do you set it?

As far as I know, you can run a fusor as long as you like (or at least until something breaks).

If you are operating a flowing system, then the rate of deuterium consumption depends on your pumping rate at the pressure you are operating at. You may be able to control this using some kind of restriction orifice at the pump suction, but in-leakage of air could be a problem.

If you mean the rate at which deuterium is consumed due to fusion, it is negligable. Here is why (I hope that this is not insulting, but it is an interesting calculation anyway):

Basis:

operating pressure (sealed),P = 10 mTorr (1.33 Pa)
gas temperature,T = 300 K
fusion rate: 10^6 neutrons/second
chamber radius: 1 ft (0.3 m) (Volume=0.113 m^3)
k (boltzmann's constant) = 1.38E-23 J/K

molecule density=n=P/(kT)=3.2E20/m^3

# of deuteriums=2*n*0.133m^3=7E19 deuterium atoms

time to
deuterium~(10^19 deuteriums)/(10^6 fusions/sec)
burnup

~10^13 seconds~10^5 years

In short, you will be waiting a long, long time before you burn up all of the deuterium in your chamber.

Hope this answers your question,

Robert