Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

General Concept of the Magnetic Reconnection Converter (MRC)

Received: 1 November 2024     Accepted: 19 November 2024     Published: 29 November 2024
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

The general concept of the magnetic reconnection converter (MRC) is considered, based on the cyclic combination of two physical processes: 1) controlled turbulence using super-linear Richardson diffusion and/or self-generated/self-sustaining physical processes increases the stochasticity of the magnetic field (MF) in a limited volume of plasma and, accordingly, the global helicity H through the processes of twisting, writhing, and linking of the MF flow tubes to the level of a local maximum (optimally global), which is determined by the plasma parameters, boundary conditions, magnetic tension of the field lines, etc. At this stage of the MF turbulent pumping, the β of plasma will decrease to the minimum possible value with a corresponding increasing in the accumulated "topological" MF energy; 2) upon reaching the local (if possible global) maximum of MF stochasticity, turbulent magnetic reconnection (TMR) occurs in the plasma, which reduces the state of the local (if possible global) maximum of MF stochasticity and increases the kinetic stochasticity of plasma particles, accelerating and heating them, which is used in direct converters of electrical power. At this stage of turbulent discharge, the β of plasma will increasing to the maximum possible value with a corresponding increasing in its kinetic and thermal energy; 3) when the kinetic stochasticity of plasma particles subsequently decreases and reaches a local minimum, the control system repeats the MF turbulent pumping in the plasma and the cycles are repeated. Practically, the basis of the MRC can be the fusion scheme of two anti-spiral spheromaks, the helicity of which is increased in a cycle with the help of controlled turbulence before their fusion and the creation of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) to increase the efficiency of the annihilation of their toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields into kinetic and thermal energy of plasma particles with its subsequent direct transformation into electrical power for industrial use or single-volume plasma (spheromak) with changing beta at turbulent pumping/discharge phases of the working cycle.

Published in International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11
Page(s) 108-134
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Controlled Turbulence, Magnetic Stochasticity, Magnetic Reconnection, Kinetic Stochasticity, Spheromaks, Field-Reversed Configuration

References
[1] Parker E. N. Magnetic reconnection and the lowest energy state, Earth Planets Space, 53, 2001. pp. 411–415,
[2] Yamada M., Kulsrud R., Ji H. Magnetic Reconnection, PPPL-4457. Information Services Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, 2009. 63 p.
[3] Pontin D. I., Priest E. R. Magnetic reconnection: MHD theory and modelling, Springer, 2022. 202 p.
[4] Pontin D. I., Horning G. The Parker problem: existence of smooth force-free fields and coronal heating, Springer, 2020. 54 p.
[5] Lazarian A., Eyink G. L., Jafari A., Kowal G., Li H., Xu S., Vishniac E. T. 3D turbulent reconnection: Theory, tests, and astrophysical implications, Phys. Plasmas 27, 012305 (2020). 63 p.
[6] Dahlin J. T., Drake J. F., Swisdak M. Electron acceleration in three-dimensional magnetic reconnection with a guide field, Phys. Plasmas 22, 100704 (2015). 6 p.
[7] Dahlin J. T. Prospectus on electron acceleration via magnetic reconnection, Phys. Plasmas 27, 100601 (2020). 13 p.
[8] Chien A. et al. Direct measurement of non-thermal electron acceleration from magnetically driven reconnection in a laboratory plasma, [physics. plasm-ph] 25 Jan 2022. 13 p.
[9] Oka M. et al. Particle Acceleration by Magnetic Reconnection in Geospace, Space Science Reviews (2023) 219: 75. 36 p.
[10] Zhang J., Xu S., Lazarian A., Kowal G. Particle acceleration in self-driven turbulent reconnection, Journal of High Energy Astrophysics 40(2023). 10 p.
[11] Scheeler M. W., van Rees W. M., Kedia H., Kleckner D., Irvine W. T. M. Complete measurement of helicity and its dynamics in vortex tubes, Science, 357(6350), 2017. 4 p.
[12] Ji H., Daughton W., Jara-Almonte J., Le A., Stanier A., Yoo J. Magnetic reconnection in the era of exascale computing and multiscale experiments, [physics.plasm-ph] 18 Feb 2022. 35 p.
[13] Eyink G., Aluie H. The breakdown of Alfven’s theorem in ideal plasma flows: Necessary conditions and physical conjectures. Physica D 223 (2006) 82–92 p.
[14] Eyink, G., Vishniac, E., Lalescu, C. et al. Flux-freezing breakdown in high-conductivity magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. Nature 497, 466–469 (2013).
[15] Jafari A., Vishniac E. Introduction to Magnetic Reconnection, arXiv: 1805.01347v3 [astro-ph.HE] 15 Jun 2018. 32 p.
[16] Jafari A., Vishniac E. Topology and stochasticity of turbulent magnetic fields. Phys Rev E. 2019 Jul; 100 (1-1): 013201.
[17] Jafari A., Vishniac E., Vaikundaraman V. Magnetic stochasticity and diffusion, arXiv: 1908.06474v2 [astro-ph.HE] 20 Aug 2019. 8p.
[18] Jafari A., Vishniac E., Vaikundaraman V. Statistical Analysis of Stochastic Magnetic Fields, arXiv: 1909.04624v2 [astro-ph.HE] 14 Jan 2020. 17 p.
[19] Jafari A., Vishniac E. Power and spatial complexity in stochastic reconnection, arXiv: 2003.12722v4 [astro-ph.HE] 10 Apr 2020. 6 p.
[20] Jafari A., Vishniac E. Magnetic topology in fluids, [astro-ph.HE] 17 Apr 2020. 11 p. arXiv:1909.07325v3
[21] Jafari A., Vishniac E. Topological theory of physical fields, [astro-ph.HE] 8 Jan 2021. 13 p.
[22] Beg R., Russell A., Hornig G. Evolution, Structure, and Topology of Self-generated Turbulent Reconnection Layers. The Astrophysical Journal, 940: 94 (32pp), 2022 November 20.
[23] Oishi J., Mac Low M., Collins D., Tamura M. Self-generated Turbulence in Magnetic Reconnection. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 806: L12 (5pp), 2015 June 10.
[24] Jafari A., Vishniac E., Xu S. Nanoflare Theory Revisited. The Astrophysical Journal, 906: 109 (10pp), 2021 January 10.
[25] Jafari A. Does Magnetic Reconnection Change Topology? [physics.plasm-ph] 30 Aug 2024. 10 p.
[26] Yamada, M. Review of the recent controlled experiments for study of local reconnection physics. Earth Planet Sp 53, 509–519 (2001). 12 p.
[27] Yamada, M., Yoo, J., Jara-Almonte, J. et al. Conversion of magnetic energy in the magnetic reconnection layer of a laboratory plasma. Nat Commun. 5, 4774 (2014). 8 p.
[28] Yamada, M., Chen, LJ., Yoo, J. et al. The two-fluid dynamics and energetics of the asymmetric magnetic reconnection in laboratory and space plasmas. Nat Commun 9, 5223 (2018). 11 p.:
[29] Brown M., Gelber K., Mebratu M. Taylor state merging at SSX: experiment and simulation, [physics.plasm-ph] 28 Oct 2019. 17 p.
[30] Brown M. et al. (2009). "3D Reconnection And Flow Dynamics In The SSX Experiment". Current Trends In International Fusion Research: Proceedings Of The 7th Symposium. Volume 1154, 167-176.
[31] Brown M., Kaur M. (2019). "Magnetothermodynamics In SSX: Measuring The Equations Of State Of A Compressible Magnetized Plasma". Fusion Science And Technology. Volume 75, Issue 4. 275-282.
[32] Brown M., Schaffner D. (2015). "SSX MHD Plasma Wind Tunnel". Journal Of Plasma Physics. Volume 81, Issue 3.
[33] Kornak T. W. Magnetic Reconnection Studies on SSX, 1998. 56 p.
[34] Reusch J. et al., "A Coaxial Helicity Injection System for Nonsolenoidal Startup Studies on the PEGASUS-III Experiment," in IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, vol. 50, no. 11, pp. 4015-4020, Nov. 2022,
[35] Nagata M. et al., "Coaxial helicity injection plasma start-up and magnetic reconnection on HIST," 2016 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science (ICOPS), Banff, AB, Canada, 2016, pp. 1-1,
[36] Tang X., Boozer A., Reactor prospect of spheromak concept by electrostatic helicity injection, Phys. Plasmas 15 (2008) 072510.
[37] Hugrass WN, Jones IR, Phillips MGR. An experimental investigation of current production by means of rotating magnetic fields. Journal of Plasma Physics. 1981; 26(3): 465-480.
[38] Hopf C. et al. Neutral beam injection for fusion reactors: technological constraints versus functional requirements. 2021 Nucl. Fusion 61 106032. 10 p.
[39] Tsankov T. et al. Foundations of magnetized radio-frequency discharges, 2022 Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 31 084007. 33 p.
[40] Li Z. et al. Effects of oscillating poloidal current drive on magnetic relaxation in the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed-field pinch, 2019 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 61 045004. 22 p.
[41] Kasahara, Y., Kasaba, Y., Kojima, H. et al. The Plasma Wave Experiment (PWE) on board the Arase (ERG) satellite. Earth Planets Space 70, 86(2018).
[42] Gota H. et al. Enhanced plasma performance in C-2W advanced beam-driven field-reversed configuration experiments. 2024 Nucl. Fusion 64 112014. 15 p.
[43] Takeno H. et al. A Study of Miniaturization of Traveling Wave Direct Energy Converter for Loading on a Spacecraft, TRANSACTIONS OF THE JAPAN SOCIETY FOR AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE SCIENCES, AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY JAPAN, 2016, Volume 14, Issue ists30, Pages. Pb_105-Pb_109, Released on J-STAGE September 30, 2016.
[44] Takeno H. et al., Deceleration in a traveling wave direct energy converter for advanced fusion, Fusion Eng. Des. 83(2008) 1696–1699.
[45] Tarditi A. et al. “Progress Towards the Development of a Traveling Wave Direct Energy Converter for Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion Applications.” (2015). 9 p.
[46] Takeno H. et al. Recent Advancement of Research on Plasma Direct Energy Conversion, Plasma and Fusion Research, 2019, Volume 14, Pages 2405013, Released on J-STAGE February 22, 2019. 7 p.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Agamalov, O. (2024). General Concept of the Magnetic Reconnection Converter (MRC). International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 13(6), 108-134. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Agamalov, O. General Concept of the Magnetic Reconnection Converter (MRC). Int. J. Energy Power Eng. 2024, 13(6), 108-134. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Agamalov O. General Concept of the Magnetic Reconnection Converter (MRC). Int J Energy Power Eng. 2024;13(6):108-134. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11,
      author = {Oleg Agamalov},
      title = {General Concept of the Magnetic Reconnection Converter (MRC)
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {108-134},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepe.20241306.11},
      abstract = {The general concept of the magnetic reconnection converter (MRC) is considered, based on the cyclic combination of two physical processes: 1) controlled turbulence using super-linear Richardson diffusion and/or self-generated/self-sustaining physical processes increases the stochasticity of the magnetic field (MF) in a limited volume of plasma and, accordingly, the global helicity H through the processes of twisting, writhing, and linking of the MF flow tubes to the level of a local maximum (optimally global), which is determined by the plasma parameters, boundary conditions, magnetic tension of the field lines, etc. At this stage of the MF turbulent pumping, the β of plasma will decrease to the minimum possible value with a corresponding increasing in the accumulated "topological" MF energy; 2) upon reaching the local (if possible global) maximum of MF stochasticity, turbulent magnetic reconnection (TMR) occurs in the plasma, which reduces the state of the local (if possible global) maximum of MF stochasticity and increases the kinetic stochasticity of plasma particles, accelerating and heating them, which is used in direct converters of electrical power. At this stage of turbulent discharge, the β of plasma will increasing to the maximum possible value with a corresponding increasing in its kinetic and thermal energy; 3) when the kinetic stochasticity of plasma particles subsequently decreases and reaches a local minimum, the control system repeats the MF turbulent pumping in the plasma and the cycles are repeated. Practically, the basis of the MRC can be the fusion scheme of two anti-spiral spheromaks, the helicity of which is increased in a cycle with the help of controlled turbulence before their fusion and the creation of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) to increase the efficiency of the annihilation of their toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields into kinetic and thermal energy of plasma particles with its subsequent direct transformation into electrical power for industrial use or single-volume plasma (spheromak) with changing beta at turbulent pumping/discharge phases of the working cycle.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - General Concept of the Magnetic Reconnection Converter (MRC)
    
    AU  - Oleg Agamalov
    Y1  - 2024/11/29
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11
    T2  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
    JF  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
    JO  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
    SP  - 108
    EP  - 134
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2326-960X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20241306.11
    AB  - The general concept of the magnetic reconnection converter (MRC) is considered, based on the cyclic combination of two physical processes: 1) controlled turbulence using super-linear Richardson diffusion and/or self-generated/self-sustaining physical processes increases the stochasticity of the magnetic field (MF) in a limited volume of plasma and, accordingly, the global helicity H through the processes of twisting, writhing, and linking of the MF flow tubes to the level of a local maximum (optimally global), which is determined by the plasma parameters, boundary conditions, magnetic tension of the field lines, etc. At this stage of the MF turbulent pumping, the β of plasma will decrease to the minimum possible value with a corresponding increasing in the accumulated "topological" MF energy; 2) upon reaching the local (if possible global) maximum of MF stochasticity, turbulent magnetic reconnection (TMR) occurs in the plasma, which reduces the state of the local (if possible global) maximum of MF stochasticity and increases the kinetic stochasticity of plasma particles, accelerating and heating them, which is used in direct converters of electrical power. At this stage of turbulent discharge, the β of plasma will increasing to the maximum possible value with a corresponding increasing in its kinetic and thermal energy; 3) when the kinetic stochasticity of plasma particles subsequently decreases and reaches a local minimum, the control system repeats the MF turbulent pumping in the plasma and the cycles are repeated. Practically, the basis of the MRC can be the fusion scheme of two anti-spiral spheromaks, the helicity of which is increased in a cycle with the help of controlled turbulence before their fusion and the creation of a field-reversed configuration (FRC) to increase the efficiency of the annihilation of their toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields into kinetic and thermal energy of plasma particles with its subsequent direct transformation into electrical power for industrial use or single-volume plasma (spheromak) with changing beta at turbulent pumping/discharge phases of the working cycle.
    
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Sections