Overview:

Reactor prototypes listed here were tested or designed but were not implemented in the final design.

Inner Grid (Geodesic Type, woven platinum):

The inner grid is constructed by connecting 3 perpendicular rings of woven platinum wire, salvaged from protein electrophoresis boxes. The grid is 1" in diameter and will operate while white hot with out melting, however at high temperatures the thermionic emissions from the grid disrupt plasma focus.

Each ring is constructed of 3 solid strands of platinum wire woven together. This weaving process ensures that the grid remains rigid at high temperatures.

The modification to the inner grid includes two extra single stranded rings that improve plasma focus.

Inner Grid (Helical Type, nickel silver):

Helical inner grid design. Grid is fabricated out of a nickel-silver brazing rod. Increased mass allows extended operation without major increase in temperature, however the thickness and helical geometry cause a relatively poor grid transparency and plasma focus.

Helical grid is 0.75" in diameter, wire thickness is 0.125".

Prototype Deuterium Supply:

Heavy water is electrolyzed to form deuterium and oxygen. The deuterium is then transferred to the reactor. This electrolysis assembly is enclosed in a centrifuge tube that contains the heavy water.

The cathode is enclosed in a glass tube that is sealed to a plastic feed line connecting the assembly to the reactor.

The anode is comprised of aluminum foil that is wrapped around the internal glass tube and connected to an external power supply.

Deuterium Supply CAD Design:

Heavy water is added to the centrifuge tube(gray) where it is split into oxygen at the aluminum anode(red) and deuterium at the copper cathode(blue). The cathode is located inside a glass tube(green) which contains the produced deuterium gas. Deuterium is then transferred to the reactor via the attached plastic tube(black).

The cathode is grounded by connecting it to the metal end of the chamber via a wire(blue) that is routed through the interior of the the plastic tube.

The anode is then held at +12v and the heavy water is electrolyzed.

Deuterium Supply CAD Design:

In operation the heavy water level is maintained half way up the copper coil and separates the central tube (deuterium) from the outer tube (oxygen).

Oxygen that is produced at the anode is released into the atmosphere, while deuterium remains in the central tube. As the supply is run, deuterium accumulates in the central tube, displacing heavy water until the level drops below the bottom of the cathode and electrolysis stops. Deuterium can be transferred to the reactor via a plastic tube connecting the central tube to an inlet valve on the reactor.

The top of the central tube(glass 1/4" ID) was heated and flared inward. When a 1/4" plastic tube is inserted into the glass tube, the flared portion seals against the plastic, containing the deuterium.

The electrolysis assembly can transfer deuterium to the reactor while it is under vacuum if the supply and use rates are matched. If the rates are matched the heavy water levels on the exterior and interior of the central tube will remain equal.

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Copyright © 1998 - 2005 by Andrew Seltzman. All rights reserved.