Nuclear fusion device and nuclear fusion method

Abstract

A nuclear fusion device 100 according to the present invention comprises: a cylindrical vacuum vessel 101 having a central axis 101a in one direction; a magnetic field generation part 109 provided so as to surround the vacuum vessel; magnetic field control parts 102 provided at ends of the vacuum vessel in the one direction; a hydrogen supply part 103 provided to the vacuum vessel; a boron supply part 104 provided to the vacuum vessel; a plasma generation part 105 provided to the vacuum vessel; and energy recovery parts 106 connected to ends of the vacuum vessel. The plasma generation part 105 is configured to form a field-reversed configuration plasma at the central part 101A in the vacuum vessel 101 and also to form a mirror confinement plasma at peripheral parts 101B thereof.

Description

Nuclear fusion device and nuclear fusion method

[0001] The present invention relates to a nuclear fusion device and a nuclear fusion method. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-069056, filed in Japan on April 18, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Conventional nuclear fusion technology uses deuterium and tritium as fuel, confines the plasma using a tokamak-type magnetic confinement device, and generates a high-temperature plasma of over 100 million degrees Celsius to achieve a nuclear fusion reaction (Non-Patent Literature 1, etc.). In this case, electrons and ions are in thermal equilibrium in the high-temperature plasma. Since most of the energy generated by nuclear fusion is output as fast neutrons, low-efficiency energy recovery via heat is required. In addition, the fast neutrons activate the fusion reactor and its surrounding structures, requiring waste management. Furthermore, tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that does not exist in nature, and there are concerns about the difficulty of its production, management, and handling.

[0003] Meanwhile, development is underway on nuclear fusion using hydrogen and boron as fuel (p-11B fusion). In this type of fusion, the reaction product is solely alpha particles (helium ions). Therefore, problems such as the activation of structures by neutrons and the management of waste can be avoided. In addition, the energy generated by the fusion reaction can be directly recovered from the alpha particles, enabling more efficient energy conversion. However, when using hydrogen and boron as fuel, it is necessary to create an ultra-high temperature plasma state with kinetic energy (ion temperature) that is more than 10 times greater than when using deuterium and tritium as fuel. When this state is realized as a high-temperature plasma in thermal equilibrium with electrons and ions, the electrons also become hot, resulting in excessive radiation loss, which presents a challenge in sustaining the fusion reaction field.

[0004] The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, Tadashi Sekiguchi, *Plasma Engineering*, University Lecture Series, The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, pp. 281-291; The University of Tokyo Press, Takeo Miyamoto, *Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion*, pp. 6-11; Morikita Publishing Co., Ltd., Shuichi Takamura, *Introduction to Plasma Physics*, pp. 225-231.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a nuclear fusion device and nuclear fusion method that utilize a nuclear fusion reaction using hydrogen and boron as fuel, enabling highly efficient and stable energy recovery.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.

[0007] (1) A nuclear fusion apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a cylindrical vacuum vessel having a central axis in one direction, a magnetic field generating unit installed so as to surround the vacuum vessel, a magnetic field control unit installed at the end of the vacuum vessel in the one direction, a hydrogen supply unit installed in the vacuum vessel, a boron supply unit installed in the vacuum vessel, a plasma generation unit installed in the vacuum vessel, and an energy recovery unit connected to the end of the vacuum vessel, wherein the plasma generation unit is configured to form a magnetic field reversal configuration plasma in the center of the vacuum vessel and a mirror confinement plasma in the periphery thereof.

[0008] (2) The nuclear fusion apparatus described in (1) above may further include a heat recovery unit connected to the vacuum vessel.

[0009] (3) The fusion apparatus described in either (1) or (2) above may further include a diverter connected to the vacuum vessel.

[0010] (4) A nuclear fusion method according to one aspect of the present invention is a nuclear fusion method using a nuclear fusion apparatus described in any one of (1) to (3) above, comprising: a first raw material supply step of supplying hydrogen and boron into the vacuum vessel; a magnetic field application step of generating a magnetic field into the vacuum vessel; a plasma generation step of generating a magnetic field reversal configuration plasma having closed magnetic field lines in the center and a mirror confinement plasma having open magnetic field lines in the peripheral area outside thereof in the vacuum vessel where the magnetic field has been generated; a second raw material supply step of supplying hydrogen to the peripheral area inside the vacuum vessel; and an energy recovery step of directly recovering energy from ions flowing out of the vacuum vessel by the magnetic field without the need for heat.

[0011] (5) The nuclear fusion method described in (4) above may further include a heat recovery step of recovering the radiation loss from the magnetic field reversal configuration plasma as heat from the vacuum vessel.

[0012] (6) In the nuclear fusion method described in either (4) or (5) above, in the plasma generation step, the magnetic field reversal configuration plasma generated in the central part is in a high-density state in which a nuclear fusion reaction occurs due to collisions between high-temperature hydrogen ions and boron ions inside it, and the mirror confinement plasma generated in the peripheral part is configured such that alpha particles generated in the nuclear fusion reaction pass through the peripheral part and impart energy to the high-energy hydrogen present in the peripheral part, and the high-energy hydrogen that has received the energy collides with boron ions to generate a nuclear fusion reaction.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to recover energy with high efficiency without the use of fast neutrons by utilizing a nuclear fusion reaction fueled by hydrogen and boron. In particular, by applying a closed magnetic field structure with a magnetic field reversal configuration to the mirror magnetic field, a high-temperature, high-density plasma can be confined with a low magnetic field strength. Furthermore, while having a pivot center in the central part, the majority of its orbit can retain boron ions located in the peripheral part. This makes it possible to create conditions for generating a nuclear fusion reaction in the peripheral part by utilizing injected high-energy hydrogen ions. By maintaining the electron temperature in the central part at a low temperature, the ionization step of boron is suppressed, and high-density boron fuel confinement is achieved while suppressing radiation loss from the plasma. In addition, by appropriately setting the magnetic field in the peripheral part, it is possible to control the motion of alpha particles and achieve both efficient recovery of alpha particle energy and maintenance of the nuclear fusion reaction field. With these configurations, it is possible to provide a nuclear fusion system that improves the efficiency of fuel supply and energy recovery while reducing problems such as neutron activation and waste management compared to conventional magnetic field confinement nuclear fusion methods.

[0014] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a nuclear fusion device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is an illustrative diagram of the phenomena that occur inside the vacuum vessel during the operation of the nuclear fusion device of the same embodiment.

[0015] Hereinafter, a nuclear fusion apparatus and nuclear fusion method according to embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, for the sake of clarity, the drawings used in the following description may show enlarged versions of key features, and the dimensional ratios of each component may not be the same as those in reality. Furthermore, the materials, dimensions, etc., exemplified in the following description are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these; it can be implemented with appropriate modifications without altering its essence.

[0016] To create a sustained fusion reaction field using hydrogen and boron (p-11B) as fuel, the fusion reactor must be in a state where ion temperature >> electron temperature, or where the non-thermal high-energy component of the ion temperature is dominant. The alpha particles (2.9 MeV) produced in the p-11B fusion reaction give most of their energy to electrons via small-angle Coulomb scattering. Therefore, in methods that confine the plasma with a strong magnetic field, such as a tokamak, the alpha particles traverse small radius orbits and are localized in the region where the fusion reaction occurs, so electron heating becomes dominant, making it difficult to achieve a state where ion temperature >> electron temperature.

[0017] To sustain the p-11B nuclear fusion reaction, a mechanism is needed to selectively transfer the energy of alpha particles to ions rather than electrons. Therefore, in this invention, by using a high-beta (magnetic field pressure is small compared to thermal pressure) magnetic field reversal configuration plasma as the reactor core, alpha particles are made to trace a global trajectory that moves between the central part where high-density plasma is maintained and the peripheral part where low-density plasma exists. At this time, the electron density in the peripheral part is set to 20% or less of the electron density in the central part.

[0018] [Nuclear Fusion Device] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a nuclear fusion device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The nuclear fusion device 100 is a means for forming a reaction field for nuclear fusion using hydrogen and boron as fuel. The nuclear fusion device 100 mainly comprises a vacuum vessel 101, a magnetic field generation unit 109, a magnetic field control unit 102, a hydrogen supply unit 103, a boron supply unit 104, a plasma generation unit 105, and an energy recovery unit 106. The nuclear fusion device 100 may further include a heat recovery unit 107 and a diverter 108.

[0019] The vacuum vessel 101 is a cylindrical reaction vessel having a central axis 101a in one direction and having an axially symmetric internal space. The vacuum vessel 101 is configured to allow the internal space to be depressurized. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the vacuum vessel 101 with a plane containing the central axis 101a.

[0020] The vacuum vessel 101 has different inner diameters at its center and end in the direction of the central axis 101a. In the direction of the central axis 101a, the end of the vacuum vessel 101 is continuously tapered as it moves away from the center. This shape is suitable for a magnetic field generating section that forms a mirror magnetic field and promotes the formation of a complex magnetic field configuration with a magnetic field reversal configuration. As an example, in the direction of the central axis 101a, the length L of the end is... ２ L is half the length of the central part. １ This is approximately 1 / 5 to 1 / 10 of the original value. Furthermore, in the direction perpendicular to the central axis 101a (inner diameter direction), the minimum value of the inner diameter at the end can be approximately 1 / 2 to 1 / 3 of the maximum value. Note that the shape of the vacuum vessel itself does not necessarily need to change in this way; a similar effect can be obtained by converging the magnetic field lines at the end using the magnetic field generation unit and magnetic field control unit. This configuration makes it possible to form a mirror magnetic field shape and efficiently control the confinement and transport of plasma. This configuration is just one example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0021] The magnetic field generating unit 109 is positioned outside the vacuum vessel 101, surrounding it, and is used to form a nearly uniform magnetic field in the direction of the central axis within the vacuum vessel 101. A solenoid-shaped coil surrounding the vacuum vessel 101 is used as the magnetic field generating unit 109. The magnetic field control unit 102 is positioned on both ends of the vacuum vessel 101, and is used to control the distribution of the magnetic field within the vacuum vessel 101. A solenoid-shaped coil centered on the central axis 101a and surrounding the ends of the vacuum vessel 101 is used as the magnetic field control unit 102.

[0022] The hydrogen supply unit 103 is connected to the outer wall surface of the vacuum vessel 101 via a predetermined flow path and is configured to supply a predetermined amount of hydrogen into the vacuum vessel 101 at a predetermined timing. The hydrogen supply unit 103 mainly includes a first hydrogen supply unit 103A that supplies hydrogen (first hydrogen) to the central part 101A, and a second hydrogen supply unit 103B that supplies hydrogen (second hydrogen) as a high-energy beam of 100 keV or more and 700 keV or less to the peripheral part 101B. The first hydrogen supply unit 103A uses a hydrogen gas release device or a solid hydrogen pellet injection device, etc. The second hydrogen supply unit 103B uses a neutral particle beam injection device, etc.

[0023] The boron supply unit 104 is connected to the vacuum vessel 101 via a predetermined flow path and is configured to supply a predetermined amount of boron into the vacuum vessel 101 at a predetermined timing. The boron is supplied as a solid or a gas.

[0024] The plasma generation unit 105 is a means for bringing hydrogen and boron in the vacuum vessel 101 into a plasma state. For example, it can use means for irradiating with high-frequency electromagnetic waves (such as electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH)), means for injecting a neutral particle beam or ion beam, means for forming a reverse-biased stata pinch type magnetic field reversal configuration plasma or means for combining spheromac plasma heteropolarity using a magnetization coaxial gun, or means for applying a rotating magnetic field perpendicular to the central axis (rotating magnetic field method). The plasma generation unit 105 is configured to form a magnetic field reversal configuration plasma in the central part 101A within the vacuum vessel 101 and a mirror-confinement plasma in the peripheral part 101B.

[0025] The energy recovery unit 106 is a means for directly recovering energy from the outflowing alpha particles, hydrogen ions, and boron ions along open magnetic field lines formed inside the vacuum vessel 101. The energy recovery unit 106 is connected to the end portion in the direction of the central axis 101a of the vacuum vessel 101 where the open magnetic field lines extend, and is preferably configured to operate in conjunction with the divertor 108.

[0026] The heat recovery unit 107 is a means for recovering radiation loss from the plasma inside the vacuum vessel 101 as heat. The heat recovery unit 107 is desirably arranged in a region where radiation loss from the plasma is concentrated, and can be installed on the outer wall surface of the vacuum vessel 101 or in the vicinity of the energy recovery unit. This makes it possible to recover the lost energy from the plasma via heat.

[0027] The divertor 108 is a means for recovering impurities from the vacuum vessel 101, and is connected, for example, between the vacuum vessel 101 and the energy recovery unit 106.

[0028] [Nuclear Fusion Method] Nuclear fusion using the nuclear fusion device 100 is mainly performed through the following steps. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of phenomena occurring inside the vacuum vessel 101 during the operation of the nuclear fusion device 100.

[0029] (Pressure Reduction Step) The inside of the vacuum vessel 101 is set to 1×10 －４ Pa or lower by pressure reduction.

[0030] (First Raw Material Supply Step) Hydrogen and boron are supplied into the vacuum vessel 101 using the first hydrogen supply unit 103A and the boron supply unit 104.

[0031] (Magnetic Field Application Step) Using the magnetic field generation unit 109 and the magnetic field control unit 102, magnetic fields with different intensities are generated inside the vacuum vessel 101 and at the end portion (inside 102). The ratio of the magnetic field intensity at the end portion to the magnetic field intensity at the central portion of the device before plasma generation is desirably in the range of 4 to 12.

[0032] (Plasma Generation Step) In the vacuum vessel 101 where a magnetic field is generated, a field-reversed configuration plasma having closed magnetic field lines is generated in the central portion 101A, and a mirror-confined plasma having open magnetic field lines is generated in the peripheral portion 101B on the outer side thereof. That is, the plasma generation unit 105 is used to form a field-reversed configuration having an ion temperature of approximately 0.1 to 1 keV in the vacuum vessel 101. The plasma inside the vacuum vessel 101 is subjected to a first magnetic field H １ (closed magnetic field line region) that traps the plasma in the central portion, and a second magnetic field H on the outer side thereof ２ (open magnetic field line region) that is composed of the peripheral portion where the plasma is trapped by the mirror magnetic field. In the central cross section of the vacuum vessel 101, the first magnetic field H １ has a magnetic field strength that varies greatly in the radial direction, decreases as the distance from the central axis 101a increases, and the direction of the magnetic field is reversed outside the point where the magnetic field strength becomes zero. As a result, a closed magnetic field line structure unique to the field-reversed configuration is formed, and the plasma confinement characteristics are improved.

[0033] The first magnetic field H １ The central portion 101A where the plasma is held is a region having a shape close to an ellipsoid that spreads symmetrically about the central axis 101a of the vacuum vessel. The second magnetic field H ２ The peripheral portion 101B where the plasma is held is the region between the central portion 101A and the side wall of the vacuum vessel 101. In the direction orthogonal to the direction of the central axis 101a, the width W of the peripheral portion 101B ２ is approximately 1 / 2 to 1 times the radius W of the central portion 101A １ . The position of the boundary between the central portion 101A and the peripheral portion 101B can be confirmed by, for example, the electron density distribution or a change in the magnetic field gradient. In the present embodiment, the second magnetic field H along the apparatus axis ２ has a magnetic field strength that varies greatly, and the ratio of the magnetic field strength at the central portion of the apparatus (central portion 101A) and the mirror portion (the end of the peripheral portion 101B) is generally called a "mirror ratio". The mirror ratio is preferably in the range of 3 to 10.

[0034] Plasma generation by the plasma generation unit 105 can be performed using, for example, electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH), a method of injecting a neutral particle beam or an ion beam, a method of colliding and merging field-reversed configuration plasmas generated by the theta pinch method, opposite-polarity merging of spheromak plasmas generated by a plasma gun, a flux core coil or the like, or a rotating magnetic field method, etc.

[0035] Second magnetic field H ２ A field-reversed configuration plasma is generated in the presence of, and the current thereof forms the first magnetic field H １ is formed. Thereby, different plasma states are realized in the central portion 101A and the peripheral portion 101B. That is, hydrogen ions, boron ions, and electrons are distributed at a relatively high density in the central portion 101A where the first magnetic field H １ is generated, and are distributed at a relatively low density in the peripheral portion 101B where the second magnetic field H ２ is generated. However, the first magnetic field H １ Most of the Larmor orbits of boron ions whose gyration centers are located inside the central portion 101A where is formed extend to the peripheral portion 101B. Thereby, by making the abundance ratio of boron ions to electrons higher in the peripheral portion than in the central portion, the boron ions efficiently interact with the high-energy hydrogen supplied to the peripheral portion, making it possible to improve the occurrence frequency of nuclear fusion reactions. In addition, this structure plays an important role in optimizing the motion of alpha particles and improving energy recovery efficiency while maintaining the stability of the field-reversed configuration plasma.

[0036] In the plasma generation step, the field-reversed configuration plasma generated in the central portion 101A is brought into a high-density state where a nuclear fusion reaction occurs due to collision between high-temperature hydrogen ions and boron ions inside thereof. In the central portion 101A, electron density: 1×10 １９ to 1×10 ２１ m －３ , electron temperature: 50 keV or less, hydrogen ion density: about 50% of the electron density, hydrogen ion temperature: a value sufficiently higher than the electron temperature, boron ion density: 5% to 15% of the electron density, boron ion temperature: a value sufficiently higher than the electron temperature, and magnetic field strength: 1 to 10 T are preferable.

[0037] In the plasma generation process, the mirror-confined plasma generated in the peripheral region 101B is configured such that alpha particles generated by the nuclear fusion reaction can impart energy to the high-energy hydrogen present in the peripheral region 101B as they pass through it. The energized high-energy hydrogen then collides with boron ions to generate a nuclear fusion reaction. Preferably, in the peripheral region 101B, the electron density is 20% or less of that of the central region 101A, the electron temperature is 100 keV or higher, the thermal hydrogen ion density is 50% or less of the electron density, the high-energy hydrogen density with kinetic energy between 100 keV and 700 keV is 5% or more of the electron density, the boron ion density is 10% or more of the electron density, and the magnetic field strength is 1 to 10 T.

[0038] A portion of the energy of the alpha particles produced by nuclear fusion reactions in the central and peripheral regions is selectively transferred to the high-energy hydrogen in the peripheral region, compensating for the energy lost by the high-energy hydrogen through Coulomb collisions with electrons and boron ions. To satisfy these conditions, for example, the electron density in the central region is 1 × 10⁻⁶. １９ I understand －３ The electron density in the peripheral region is 2 × 10⁻⁶ １８ I understand －３ In this case, the volume of the peripheral part 101B will be balanced if it is 1.62 times the volume of the central part 101A, so the thickness of the peripheral part W ２ The radius W of the center １ The value is adjusted to 1.6 times the original value. This structure allows for efficient supply of alpha particle energy to the surrounding hydrogen, optimizing energy recovery in the surrounding area.

[0039] (Second raw material supply process) Using the second hydrogen supply unit 103B, hydrogen is supplied to the peripheral unit 101B as a high-energy hydrogen beam having an energy of approximately 100 to 700 keV. For example, a neutral particle beam injector, an ion beam injector, etc., can be used as the second hydrogen supply unit 103B.

[0040] (Energy Recovery Process) The energy recovery unit 106 is used to recover the energy of ions flowing out of the vacuum vessel 101 by the magnetic field. The flowing ions include some of the alpha particles produced by the nuclear fusion reaction, alpha particles that have lost most of their energy through interaction with the plasma, hydrogen ions and boron ions lost from the plasma, etc.

[0041] (Heat recovery process) By using the heat recovery unit 107, radiative losses from the magnetic field reversal configuration plasma can be recovered as heat from the side wall of the vacuum vessel 101, and this heat can be used for power generation using a thermoelectric converter or the like.

[0042] After these processes, in the central region 101A, densely distributed hydrogen ions and boron ions collide and undergo nuclear fusion, producing alpha particles (helium ions). Because the central region 101A has a high beta and a weak magnetic field (first magnetic field), the alpha particles are not localized in the central region 101A but can move in orbits with a large radius, traveling back and forth between the central region 101A and the peripheral region 101B.

[0043] The moving alpha particles selectively transfer energy to localized high-energy hydrogen in the peripheral region 101B through interactions such as electrostatic waves or inter-ion collisions. The high-energy hydrogen, having received sufficient energy (600-700 keV), collides with boron ions in the peripheral region 101B and undergoes nuclear fusion.

[0044] In this case, in order to increase the frequency of collisions, it is preferable to implement one or both of the following two measures (A) and (B). (A) Increase the boron ion density in the peripheral part 101B and increase the electron temperature to reduce the energy loss caused by the Coulomb collision between high-energy hydrogen and electrons. Since the swirling radius of boron ions is larger than that of hydrogen ions and electrons, the boron ion density in the peripheral part can be increased by utilizing the effect that the boron ion density distribution in the central part 101A spreads outward. (B) In the peripheral part 101B, low-level ionized boron ions (B １＋ ~B ４＋By supplying (low-level ionized boron ions), the frequency of nuclear fusion reactions is increased while keeping energy loss caused by Coulomb collisions between high-energy hydrogen and boron ions low. Low-level ionized boron ions can be supplied, for example, using a rotating magnetic field or a magnetized coaxial plasma gun.

[0045] Interaction with high-energy hydrogen in the peripheral region 101B slows down the alpha particles to a predetermined velocity (e.g., 2.4 MeV or less). Increasing the electron temperature and expanding the region of the peripheral region 101B can be achieved, for example, by using an electron cyclotron heating method with a high-frequency power supply.

[0046] The decelerated alpha particles collide with hydrogen ions and boron ions, mainly in the central region 101A, heating them. This heating causes the hydrogen and boron ions, now at a temperature of approximately 300 keV, to undergo high-frequency nuclear fusion in a state of thermal equilibrium. The decelerated alpha particles also collide with electrons in the central region 101A, but the temperature of the collided electrons is maintained below approximately 50 keV. As a result, a state is achieved in the central region 101A where the ion temperature is significantly higher than the electron temperature (ion temperature >> electron temperature), thereby reducing radiation loss. The inventors' experiments have confirmed that in magnetic field reversal configuration plasmas, a state in which the ion temperature is superior to the electron temperature can be achieved.

[0047] In the peripheral region 101B, alpha particles selectively transfer energy to high-energy hydrogen, suppressing the rise in electron temperature in the central region and reducing radiation loss. By generating a nuclear fusion reaction between high-energy hydrogen and boron ions in the peripheral region, a constant fusion output can be obtained, significantly improving overall efficiency. The electron temperature in the peripheral region 101B is preferably greater than 100 keV. This electron temperature can be maintained if high-energy hydrogen is present in the peripheral region 101B at a density of about 10% of the electron density.

[0048] As described above, the nuclear fusion device 100 of this embodiment makes it possible to perform a nuclear fusion reaction using hydrogen and boron as fuel and recover energy stably with high efficiency. In the nuclear fusion device 100 of this embodiment, no structures such as coils are linked in the space where the magnetic field reversal configuration plasma is generated. Therefore, the kinetic energy of ions flowing out along the open magnetic field lines present around the magnetic field reversal configuration plasma can be directly converted into electrical energy by an energy recovery unit installed at the end of the magnetic field lines, thereby realizing highly efficient energy recovery (power generation). The flowing ions include some of the alpha particles generated by the nuclear fusion reaction, alpha particles that have lost most of their energy due to interaction with the plasma, and ions lost from the plasma. Furthermore, by installing a heat recovery unit on the side wall of the vacuum vessel surrounding the magnetic field reversal configuration plasma, radiative losses from the plasma can be recovered as heat, and that heat can be used for power generation.

[0049] Unlike D-T fusion, the fusion apparatus 100 of this embodiment does not generate neutrons, which greatly expands the range of wall materials for the vacuum vessel. In addition, it is possible to greatly widen the magnetic field lines in the divertor portion, thereby significantly reducing the amount of heat incident on the wall.

[0050] 100...Nuclear fusion device 101...Vacuum vessel 102...Magnetic field control unit 103...Hydrogen supply unit 103A...First hydrogen supply unit 103B...Second hydrogen supply unit 104...Boron supply unit 105...Plasma generation unit 106...Energy recovery unit 107...Heat recovery unit 108...Diverter 109...Magnetic field generation unit

Claims

1. A fusion apparatus comprising: a cylindrical vacuum vessel having a central axis in one direction; a magnetic field generating unit installed so as to surround the vacuum vessel; a magnetic field control unit installed at the end of the vacuum vessel in the one direction; a hydrogen supply unit installed in the vacuum vessel; a boron supply unit installed in the vacuum vessel; a plasma generation unit installed in the vacuum vessel; and an energy recovery unit connected to the end of the vacuum vessel, wherein the plasma generation unit is configured to form a magnetic field reversal configuration plasma in the center of the vacuum vessel and a mirror confinement plasma in the periphery thereof.

2. The fusion apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heat recovery unit connected to the vacuum vessel.

3. The nuclear fusion apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a divertor connected to the vacuum vessel.

4. A nuclear fusion method using the nuclear fusion apparatus described in claim 1, comprising: a first raw material supply step of supplying hydrogen and boron into the vacuum vessel; a magnetic field application step of generating a magnetic field into the vacuum vessel; a plasma generation step of generating a magnetic field reversal configuration plasma having closed magnetic field lines in the center and a mirror confinement plasma having open magnetic field lines in the peripheral area outside thereof in the vacuum vessel where the magnetic field has been generated; a second raw material supply step of supplying hydrogen to the peripheral area inside the vacuum vessel; and an energy recovery step of directly recovering energy from ions flowing out of the vacuum vessel due to the magnetic field.

5. The nuclear fusion method according to claim 4, further comprising a heat recovery step of recovering as heat the radiation loss from the magnetic field reversal configuration plasma from the side wall of the vacuum vessel.

6. The nuclear fusion method according to claim 4, characterized in that, in the plasma generation step, the magnetic field reversal configuration plasma generated in the central part is in a high-density state in which a nuclear fusion reaction occurs due to collisions between high-temperature hydrogen ions and boron ions within it, and the mirror confinement plasma generated in the peripheral part is configured such that alpha particles generated by the nuclear fusion reaction pass through the peripheral part and impart energy to high-energy hydrogen present in the peripheral part, and the high-energy hydrogen that has received the energy collides with boron ions to generate a nuclear fusion reaction.

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