Modeling Two-Dimensional Five-Moment Four-Fluid Sheared-Flow Stabilized Z-Pinch Fusion for Energy and Aerospace Applications

The sheared-flow stabilized Z-pinch configuration has the potential for being a low-cost and compact method for fusion due to its lack of external magnetic field coils and its linear geometry. This would make it ideal for energy generation and for deep space propulsion. The sheared-flow stabilized Z-pinch configuration is explored through numerical methods using the Washington Approximate Riemann Plasma (WARPXM) simulation framework. WARPXM is used to simulate two-dimensional four-fluid (deuterons, tritons, alpha particles, and electrons) sheared flow Z-pinch fusion and by numerically solving the appropriate non-linear five-moment multifluid model with high accuracy discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods. The performance of the Z-pinch fusion device is determined by computing fusion energy gain and propulsion characteristics, such as thrust or exhaust velocity, from this model.