So what are the limitations of running the reactor for longer? Is it containing the plasma becoming infeasible due to heat or other constraints or does the reaction inside the plasma fizzle out?
I believe that the issue is that the plasma loses stability and the self-sustaining state is lost.
Think of it like a top that runs on fuel but needs outside intervention to get moving. As long as the top’s rotation is stable and has fuel supplied, it can theoretically run forever, but if it loses stability and starts to wobble then it needs an immense outside intervention to retain stability or just tumble until it settles.
So what are the limitations of running the reactor for longer? Is it containing the plasma becoming infeasible due to heat or other constraints or does the reaction inside the plasma fizzle out?
I believe that the issue is that the plasma loses stability and the self-sustaining state is lost.
Think of it like a top that runs on fuel but needs outside intervention to get moving. As long as the top’s rotation is stable and has fuel supplied, it can theoretically run forever, but if it loses stability and starts to wobble then it needs an immense outside intervention to retain stability or just tumble until it settles.
Madness sense, thanks!