Direct Energy Conversion from Flow Z-Pinch Exhaust Plume

Direct energy conversion by means of Venetian blind collectors is simulated by a custom Particle-in-Cell code named ZaP-DEC. The model predicts ion trajectories and energy conversion efficiency given user-specified collector and plasma properties. ZaP-DEC is verified against a benchmark case, then applied to study energy conversion from two different exhaust plumes generated by sheared-flow-stabilized Z pinches. In both cases, a compact device with no magnetic expander is simulated, and low efficiency is expected. The first case utilizes plasma properties measured on the ZaP-HD experiment with a predicted collection efficiency of 24.2%. The second case simulates a notional fusion power plant operating at Q >> 1, and 26.9% collection efficiency is predicted. A gridded energy analyzer is used to validate the model while a new venetian blind experiment is developed in parallel.