Quasi-static magnetic compression of field-reversed configuration plasma: Amended scalings and limits from two-dimensional MHD equilibrium

TL;DR

This paper refines the scaling laws governing quasi-static magnetic compression of FRC plasma using 2D MHD equilibrium simulations, providing improved estimates of performance limits for fusion and neutron source applications.

Contribution

It amends existing scaling laws for FRC plasma compression based on new 2D MHD equilibrium data, enhancing accuracy of performance limit predictions.

Findings

Revised scaling laws for elongation and magnetic fields at the separatrix.

Empirically determined stable limits for compression ratio, fusion gain, and neutron yield.

More accurate upper performance bounds for FRC-based fusion and neutron sources.

Abstract

In this work, several key scaling laws of the quasi-static magnetic compression of field reversed configuration (FRC) plasma [Spencer, Tuszewski, and Linford, 1983] are amended from a series of 2D FRC MHD equilibriums numerically obtained using the Grad-Shafranov equation solver NIMEQ. Based on the new scaling for the elongation and the magnetic fields at the separatrix and the wall, the empirically stable limits for the compression ratio, the fusion gain, and the neutron yield are evaluated, which may serve as a more accurate estimate for the upper ceiling of performance from the magnetic compression of FRC plasma as a potential fusion energy as well as neutron source devices.