The DLP supports the Federal Government, in conjunction with Australian universities, academic and scientific institutions, and the CSIRO, to invest into the development of the Polywell system of technology.

 

• The fuel and product of the Polywell process is the cleanest available
• The Polywell is not radioactive
• No hazardous waste products
• Helium is the only product, and it completely neutral (chemically inert)
• Scaling factors for net surplus power is R^5 (the fifth power of radius)
• Ideal for the direct conversion of fusion products into electricity with a 95%+ conversion efficiency
• Relatively cheap production
• Plants can be small in size
• The first country or organisation to achieve net power with Polywell could supply the world with unimaginable opportunities for raising the living standards of any poor community at an affordable price

 

Discussion

What is Polywell?

The Polywell system confines electrons (1800 times lighter than ions) using a magnetic field and the confined electrons accelerates the ions using an electric field.

The Polywell ‘burns’ a range of fusion ‘fuels’ including all the fuels that a Tokamak can burn but also the aneutronic proton-Boron 11 fuel which Tokamak cannot burn.

The proton (the most common Hydrogen nucleus) and Boron are abundant, available all over the world [water => protons; borax (supermarket) => boron] and not radioactive (cf Tritium).

The Polywell is ideal for direct conversion of fusion products (high energy alpha particles) into electricity with 95%+ conversion efficiency.

Since there is a worldwide shortage of Helium, which is the only product of the Polywell, the implementation of Polywell fusion will provide a viable source of Helium.

Scaling factors for net surplus power is R^5 (the fifth power of radius), e.g., doubling the radius of a Polywell fusion plant multiplies the power output by: 2x2x2x2x2 = 32 times.

The cost of building a Polywell plant is contained by the fact that most of the components needed are ‘old technology’ – no need for expensive new research.

One of the issues to be investigated is whether, in addition to providing base load power, the parameters of a Polywell system are sufficiently variable to provide peak load power too.

 

Environmental

By replacing coal fired power stations, the Polywell system would eliminate acid rain, thermal pollution of exhaust stacks and ash from sold fuel combustion.

No hazardous waste products resulting from Polywell power production; no nuclear waste management issues. It is a safe and cost-effective power for residential and industrial consumers.

The Polywell system can be used to convert dangerous nuclear waste into alternative substances which are not radioactive.

Relatively cheap power production by Polywell makes desalination practicable and opens dry lands up for agricultural uses.

Helium is the only product of the Polywell system and it is perfectly neutral – it is one of the most chemically inert substances known.

Development of second and third world regions is viable because of the ease with which the small plant and cheap fuel can be utilised.

 

Political

The production of Greenhouse gases is eliminated. The fuel and product of the Polywell process is the cleanest available.

The control exerted over countries by world oil cartels due to their ownership of the oil resource will disappear because the Polywell fuel is available worldwide and is ‘dirt’ cheap.

The Polywell system lends itself to distributed power sources – each town can build a power plant of a size (smallest is about 3.5m x 3.5m x 3.5m cube) sufficient to satisfy their needs.

The country or organization first to achieve net power with Polywell will be able to supply the world with unimaginable opportunities for raising the living standards of any poor community at an affordable price.