Lockheed says they can make a fusion power plant

[phavoc]

The Skunk Works guys are at it again.

Initial work demonstrated the feasibility of building a 100-megawatt reactor measuring seven feet by 10 feet, which could fit on the back of a large truck, and is about 10 times smaller than current reactors, McGuire told reporters.

In a statement, the company, the Pentagon's largest supplier, said it would build and test a compact fusion reactor in less than a year, and build a prototype in five years.

The full article here: http://news.yahoo.com/lockheed-says-makes-breakthrough-fusion-energy-project-123840986--finance.html

 

[sideranautae]

In 2013 Lockheed said that they would have it ready by 2017 and commercial production by 2022!

Now today's article:

" Lockheed Martin Corp said on Wednesday it had made a technological breakthrough in developing a power source based on nuclear fusion, and the first reactors, small enough to fit on the back of a truck, could be ready for use in a decade 2024."

So, the reporter, not being the sharpest tool in the shed, didn't call them out and correct them in that they haven't made a breakthrough but, have run into trouble based on their EARLIER announcement...

OR, the "breakthrough" was of such great magnitude that it has set back their original time table? :lol:

 

[Hopeless]

I'm hoping its just so they don't accidentally cause it to explode whilst on US soil... maybe they're looking for somewhere safer to test it? :twisted:

Like another country or outer space perhaps? :wink:

Still nice to hear.

 

[Reynard]

Iran? They keep wanting nuclear power.

 

[sideranautae]

Iran? They keep wanting nuclear power.

:lol:

As you can see in my signature, I already have this problem well in hand.

 

[dragoner]

I'm hoping its just so they don't accidentally cause it to explode whilst on US soil...

Fusion is a rather different process than fission, other than breach of containment, there would be a flash of radiation and heat, but not on the scale of fission because it would lack critical mass to maintain a chain reaction. Thing is that it will still be a carnot or heat engine, using steam turbines to do the mechanical work. I would like to see direct energy conversion.

 

[sideranautae]

Thing is that it will still be a carnot or heat engine, using steam turbines to do the mechanical work. I would like to see direct energy conversion.

Well, we can directly convert alpha, beta and gamma/x-ray & heat (although with gamma we still need better materials). That leaves neutrons? Perhaps we can use the fast neutrons to hit a material to create secondary radiation that we can then directly convert?

 

[Rick]

I have a feeling that with the ambitious 1 design-build-test process per year plan, in 5 years they may just have discovered what won't work. But that will get us closer to a working prototype somewhere down the line. If nothing else, I firmly believe that their approach will shave years off the 50 years estimate for fusion.

 

[Reynard]

They've been working on fusion for decades. Still just over the next horizon, always over the horizon.

 

[Reynard]

They've been working on fusion for decades. Still just over the next horizon, always over the horizon.

 

[Rick]

They have a working lab test rig - by pouring a river of energy in, they can get a trickle out and it is unable to sustain the reaction for very long. Still, early days.

 

[Reynard]

I say again, it was still early days many decades ago. They seem to have made as much progress.

 

[Tom Kalbfus]

I say again, it was still early days many decades ago. They seem to have made as much progress.

We've been waiting a long time for fusion, I hope Lockheed is right! Could use a fusion reactor, I'm sick and tired of the Arabs and their games. If you could put a fusion reactor in the back of a truck, could it power the truck? If Lockheed succeeds then the folks at ITER will be deeply embarrased!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBcXXfzrqco

 

[sideranautae]

I say again, it was still early days many decades ago. They seem to have made as much progress.

We've been waiting a long time for fusion, I hope Lockheed is right! Could use a fusion reactor, I'm sick and tired of the Arabs and their games.

If everyone was as sick and tired we would be using thorium reactors already. No need to wait for fusion.

 

[Reynard]

Tom, it's purported to be the size (volume) of a truck, the weight will be closer to a Traveller powerplant and that would crush a truck.

 

[enderra]

Good job duplicating threads: http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=89&t=87011

 

[Tom Kalbfus]

Tom, it's purported to be the size (volume) of a truck, the weight will be closer to a Traveller powerplant and that would crush a truck.

I think a truck could haul it though, an 18 wheeler perhaps. If we could launch it into space, we could reach Mars in 30 days. We could colonize Titan, the reactor could act as an engine to get their and as a power source once we set up a base.

 

[Reynard]

If it's the size of an 18 wheeler, I assume you mean the trailer part, it will be HUGE and easily crush the entire thing. These reactors still need heavy shielding plus all the other guts to run it.

Also, a fusion reactor, as in Traveller too, doesn't generate thrust, only power. You need something like an ion drive that can convert the electricity created to an ion beam. Even so, it will take much longer than 30 days. A real fusion reactor is no where as efficient as the cold Fusion+ reactor of Traveller.

Reality sucks.

 

[Rick]

Hell, a big tank of seawater would do it - heat it up and send it out of a jet nozzle. Refuel on Martian icecaps, or an icy asteroid and return.

 

[sideranautae]

Good job duplicating threads: http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=89&t=87011

Good job reading. NOT

The thread you referenced is about where the research was in 2013! This is an October 2014 update. Please replace your calendars, update computers date & time, get off of Mom's computer, etc.