Fishion Engine - Part 3

 Yeah, the final part.  This design had me endlessly stumbling into scaling problems.  The first problem is that this is a large process, like lightning.  Does it scale down to the atom?  Most likely not, since there are quantum effects, and they seem to be finding these with the latest results.  A big breakthrough will be that the quantum effects actually help the process.  Then, this engine can scale to run your phone.  Neat.

Most likely, quantum screws everything up.  Then there is strength scaling.  I was reading that someone had a high-pressure chemical rocket, leading to a fusion rocket.  They were so happy that it formed 'shock diamonds'.  Really?  A rocket engine totally depends on its cowling to transmit the thrust to the frame.  Diamonds impacting it are no good.  You can't get thrust just poofing flames out a nozzle.  Cowlings don't scale to very large because of strength of materials.  This is 'strength scaling'.

To start things right, we have the FISHION ENGINE - party version.  This produces a huge fountain of popcorn.  The kernels come in and are pre-heated in an air plasma.  Then the pipe produces a big pinch and the kernels are squeezed at a high temperature.  The pipe goes through a patent (sic) jiggler tube to make sure every kernel is at the semi-pop stage.  Then out a nozzle.  There is a blast of steam and a huge flow of popcorn.  It produces thrust against the cowling.  This is magnificent!

We take this to fusion, but we have to wait for several HUGE PHYSICS BREAKTHROUGHS.  But not going to happen since the Scientific Method is dead, and everything you read are incremental improvements (discoveries) that don't scale.  The first hypothesis is the 'semi-pop' state and how to maintain it.    Then we need a plasma pinch and vortex plasma with laser heaters.  This is combination of both efforts.  

I really did this to show that we need to get beyond the hype about 'ignition'.  Not going to help much.  My fusion engine is 30 years into the future.  I'll see you on the other side.

-finished

ps - the flare end will be huge and filled with heat exchangers.  It will be covered with a layer of heavy water for neutron shielding and a constant supply of tritium.  If the quantum effects are bad, then the engine has to be started with a whole nuclear plant pumping it up.  :)