Behavior of a plasma in a high-density gas-embedded Z-pinch configuration
The theoretical analysis of a high density Z-pinch (HDZP) begins with an examination of the steady state energy balance between ohmic heating and bremsstrahlung radiation losses for a plasma column in pressure equilibrium. The model is then expanded to include the time-varying internal energy and results in a quasi-equilibrium prescription for the load current through a constant radius plasma channel. This set of current waveforms is useful in the design of experimental systems. The behavior of a plasma for physically realizable conditions is first examined by allowing adiabatic changes in the column radius. A more complete model is then developed by incorporating inertial effects into the momentum equation, and the resultant global MHD computational model is compared with more sophisticated, and costly, one- and two-dimensional computer simulations. These comparisons demonstrate the advantages of the global MHD description over previously developed zero-dimensional models.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 5183683
- Report Number(s):
- LA-9333-T; ON: DE82017396; TRN: 82-014489
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
LINEAR Z PINCH DEVICES
ENERGY BALANCE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ADIABATIC PROCESSES
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
LINEAR PINCH DEVICES
MECHANICS
OPEN PLASMA DEVICES
PINCH DEVICES
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
700105* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Plasma Kinetics-Theoretical- (-1987)