Nuclear fusion engines can be divided into working fluid engines and non-working fluid engines. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 infoIn order to understand the difference between the two, it is necessary to understand what working fluid is.

Working fluid, that is, the working fluid, is the medium substance through which the heat engine or thermal equipment completes the conversion of heat energy and mechanical energy. Such as water vapor, combustible gas, air, etc.

In the case of rockets, to obey Newton's third law, an equivalent reverse thrust is required to produce a forward thrust. When the rocket flies, a large amount of material is ejected backwards, which is the working fluid.

The working fluid engine uses the energy generated by the engine to change the physical state of the working fluid, so that the working fluid is injected in the opposite direction, so as to obtain forward propulsion.

The non-working fluid engine is to directly convert the engine energy into the kinetic energy of the propelled body.

Before carrying out theoretical exploration, it is first necessary to clarify whether to make a working fluid engine or a non-working fluid engine. If this cannot be clarified, it will not be able to be studied, and Hu Zexiang asked a very pragmatic question, which is also a problem that must be solved.

Ye Chen was very appreciative of Hu Zexiang's reaction, and he grasped the key issue as soon as he came. However, Ye Chen did not answer clearly, but asked rhetorically: "I believe you have already discussed, what kind of engine do you think should be made?" ”

Hu Zexiang and the team members quickly exchanged glances and said with a smile: "We have indeed discussed, but because the issue is too complicated and it is difficult to make a decision for a while, I want to hear your opinion." ”

"Be specific." Ye Chen said.

"Working fluid engine and non-working fluid engine, these two engines have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is difficult to decide for a while." Hu Zexiang began to talk in detail, saying: "First of all, let's talk about working engines. Working fluid engine is closely related to our life, steam engine, internal combustion engine, etc., are all using working fluid to do work. If we want to make an industrial fluid nuclear fusion engine, we can't do without working fluid. This requires a large amount of working fluid, and this is where the problem arises. ”

Fingers were wrenched and counted: "The first problem is that because it has to carry a large amount of working fluid, it increases the overall mass and reduces the speed, which is not conducive to space flight." ”

When flying in space, speed is extremely important.

Why?

On Earth, a slower speed may not have much effect, whether it is a plane or a boat across the ocean, you will always reach your destination, but there is only a time difference of one or two months.

In space, speed is very important and can even mean the difference between life and death.

The distance from one celestial body to another celestial body will be very long, for example, from the earth to the sun is 150 million kilometers, such a long distance, just one astronomical unit.

Flying from one celestial body to another is perfectly normal in space travel. If you can't reach the target object, you may run out of fuel and run out of food, and your entire army will be wiped out.

Therefore, speed is too important for space travel, and it is not an exaggeration to say that success determines success or failure.

Carrying a large amount of working fluid, which leads to an increase in mass and a decrease in speed, which is very detrimental to space travel.

"The second problem is that because of the multiple conversions, the energy loss is large and the efficiency is low, which makes the distance that humans can fly is limited." Hu Zexiang continued.

There will inevitably be losses in energy conversion, and the loss of multiple conversions will be even greater, which can not be low. Originally, it could fly two astronomical units, but because of the excessive energy loss, it could only fly one astronomical unit, can this loss not be large?

"This, combined with the fact that it carries a large amount of working fluid, increases the mass and leads to a decrease in speed. The combination of these two reasons makes the distance that can be flown even more limited. Hu Zexiang said again.

The environment in space is extremely harsh, and the earth is a paradise compared to space.

If you can't reach the target object when flying in space, the consequences will be serious.

"There are also solutions to the problem, one is to use fuel residue as propellant. The other is to study work-free engines. Hu Zexiang continued: "Although the former method is feasible, it is not as good as a non-working fluid engine. However, the technical difficulty of the work-free engine is too high, unimaginably high. ”

If you compare the working fluid engine with the non-working fluid engine, it is easy to find that the working fluid engine is the most suitable power for space flight. However, the technical threshold is too high to be imagined.

Up to now, mankind has not made any achievements in the field of non-working fluid engines, and there is no mature non-working engine technology.

It boils down to one sentence: the work-free engine can only exist in the imagination, and it is impossible to achieve it with the existing technology of human beings.

"Of these two engines, one is of low technical difficulty, and the other is particularly suitable for human voyages, so it is difficult for us to decide." Hu Zexiang looked embarrassed.

Everyone agreed.

Ye Chen smiled and said, "This is indeed a problem, how to decide, we have to take into account our goals." There is no doubt that the fusion engine is the most suitable power for mankind to sail far in space. However, judging from the current situation of human beings, it is not appropriate to set too high a goal before it has rushed out of the earth. ”

Hu Zexiang and the others couldn't help nodding, agreeing with Ye Chen's statement.

With the current level of science and technology of human beings, it is very difficult to break out of the earth, let alone sail beyond the solar system, which is unrealistic.

"Xiao Ye, what kind of goal do you think is most appropriate for us to set now?" Hu Zexiang asked.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Ye Chen, waiting for him to answer.

"We can make the moon a short-term goal." Ye Chen said.

"Moon?" Hu Zexiang wondered.

"That's right, it's the moon." Ye Chen nodded and said, "With your level of secrecy, you should be able to know something." I will tell you right now that our country is about to launch a lunar development program. ”

"What? Lunar development plans? Hu Zexiang: They were very shocked.

The lunar development program is now top secret. However, with Hu Zexiang's level of secrecy, it can be known. Of course, they can only know that our country is going to develop the moon, and nothing else can be known.

"In that case, it's especially appropriate to set it to the moon." After a long while, Hu Zexiang and the others came back to their senses, very excited, and said: "The moon is a treasure, with rich mineral resources, especially helium-3, which can be used by humans for 10,000 years. If the engine we work on is successful, it will be able to boost the lunar development program. ”

There is a lot of truth in that.

The most difficult thing to develop the moon is the problem of transportation. The existing means of transportation are not very suitable. Although the rocket can meet the requirements, however, the rocket is notoriously high consumption and low efficiency, and the cost is too high.

If the fusion engine is successful, the power problem will be solved, and it will be possible to build a large transport ship to return the resources from the moon to Earth. At the same time, it is possible to transport supply equipment from Earth to the moon.

This costs are much lower.

"After the lunar target is solved, then the Martian Jupiter and Mercury will be solved, which can be used as a medium-term goal." Ye Chen said again.

The moon has to be developed, and who says there is so much helium-3 on the moon? If the moon is not developed, where will the nuclear fuel come from? How far can humanity go without enough nuclear fuel?

When the problem of the Moon is solved, it is appropriate to solve the problem of Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter.

"Makes sense, it makes sense." Hu Zexiang: They were very appreciative.

"The long-term goal, of course, is to break out of the solar system and into the Milky Way." Ye Chen said again.

Hu Zexiang and the others quickly exchanged views and soon reached an agreement.

"Xiao Ye, the goal you proposed is very pragmatic and very feasible." Hu Zexiang spoke on behalf of the team and said: "According to this plan, the research work of nuclear fusion engine can be divided into two steps. The first step was to study working fluid engines. Although the working fluid engine has such and such shortcomings, it is fully capable of meeting our needs for the development of the moon and even the exploration of Mars and Jupiter. ”

The disadvantage of working fluid engines is obvious, that is, it is impossible to go very far. However, it doesn't matter, it is enough to develop the Moon, to explore and develop Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury.

"If we want to break out of the solar system and go to the Milky Way, the working fluid engine cannot meet our requirements, and we must do the working fluid engine, which is our second step of work." Hu Zexiang finally said.

If human beings want to break out of the solar system and go further, they must study the non-working fluid engine, otherwise they can't even think about it.

If it is active in the solar system, the working fluid engine should be able to meet the requirements.

With the existing technical conditions, it is unrealistic to study the non-working fluid engine. However, it is still feasible to study working fluid engines.

It is inevitable to divide it into two steps.

"That's what I meant." Ye Chen nodded.

"Now that we have a clear direction, we should report back to the top." Hu Zexiang proposed.

Such an important matter must be approved by the state, and reporting has become inevitable.

Everyone had no objections, and Ye Chen immediately called the chief and reported directly to the chief. The chief attaches great importance to this matter and definitely wants to know the situation as soon as possible.

Soon, the chief answered the phone, greeted Ye Chen with a smile on his face, and then asked, "Xiao Ye, is the research direction of the nuclear fusion engine determined?" ”

The research direction of nuclear fusion launch must be discussed with Ye Chen, and Ye Chen's opinions must be listened to before it can be determined.

"The chief is wise." Ye Chen said with a smile.

"Okay, let's talk about it." The chief's expression was focused.

Ye Chen said the result of the discussion.

"Xiao Ye, your proposal is very good, pragmatic, and very feasible, I think it's okay." The chief thought about it and made a decision.

After the chief made a decision, Ye Chen and the others had to prepare a formal plan and submit it to the state for approval. Leave this matter to Hu Zexiang and their property to do.

After a few days of hard work, the compilation was finally completed, and Ye Chen saw that there was no problem, and officially submitted it to the state.

Then, the research work was officially launched, and Ye Chen also joined in and conducted theoretical research with Hu Zexiang.

With the advanced technology mastered by Ye Chen, it is very useful to explore the theory of working fluid engine, and Ye Chen put forward a lot of constructive suggestions, which made Hu Zexiang and them sigh with emotion.

I had long known that Ye Chen was very powerful, but now I saw it with my own eyes, and they were impressed.

With Ye Chen's help, the theoretical research is progressing smoothly, and I believe that the theoretical research will be completed in a period of time.