Super Scientist

Nuclear fusion engines can be divided into working fluid engines and non-working fluid engines. To understand the difference between the two, it is necessary to understand what is a working substance.

The working medium is the working fluid, which is the medium substance used by the heat engine or thermal equipment to complete the conversion between heat energy and mechanical energy. Such as water vapor, combustion gas, air and so on.

Taking a rocket as an example, to obey Newton's third law, to produce a forward thrust, an equal reverse thrust is required. When the rocket is flying, a large amount of material ejected backward is the working fluid.

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

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

Before conducting theoretical exploration, it is first necessary to clarify whether it is a working fluid engine or a working fluid engine. If this cannot be clarified, there is no way to study it. Hu Zexiang asked a very practical question, and it must be solved.

Ye Chen appreciated Hu Zexiang's reaction very much, and he caught the key issue right away. However, Ye Chen did not give a clear answer, but instead asked: "I believe you have already discussed it, what kind of engine do you think should be made?"

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

"Tell me specifically." Ye Chen said.

"Working medium engine and non-working medium engine, these two engines have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is difficult to decide at the moment." Hu Zexiang began to talk in detail, and said: "First of all, let's talk about working medium engine. Working medium engine is closely related to our life. Steam engine and internal combustion engine Wait, they all use working fluid to do work. If we want to make a working fluid nuclear fusion engine, we cannot do without working fluid. This requires carrying a large amount of working fluid, and the problem arises.”

Counting with fingers: "The first problem is that because a large amount of working fluid has to be carried, the overall mass is increased and the speed will be reduced, which is not conducive to space flight."

When flying in space, speed is extremely important.

Why?

On Earth, the slower speed may not have much effect. Whether you travel across the ocean by plane or boat, you will always reach your destination, and the time gap is only one or two months.

In space, speed is so important that it can mean the difference between life and death.

The distance from one celestial body to another will be very large,

For example, the distance from the earth to the sun is 150 million kilometers. Such a long distance is only one astronomical unit.

Flying from one celestial body to another is nothing more than normal in space travel. If the target celestial body cannot be reached, the entire army may be destroyed due to difficulties such as running out of fuel and food.

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 leads to an increase in mass and a decrease in speed, which is very unfavorable for space travel.

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

There is bound to be a loss in energy conversion, and the loss of multiple conversions is even greater. How can this efficiency not be low. Originally, it could fly two astronomical units, but it could only fly one astronomical unit because of too much energy loss. Could this loss be small?

"In addition, it carries a large amount of working fluid, which increases the mass and reduces the speed. Under the combined effect of these two reasons, the flying distance is even more limited." Hu Zexiang said again.

The environment in space is extremely harsh. Compared with space, the earth can be regarded as a paradise.

Flying in space, if you can't reach the target celestial body, the consequences will be very serious.

"There are also ways to solve the problem. One is to use fuel residue as a propellant. The other is to study a propellant-free engine." Hu Zexiang continued: "Although the former method is feasible, it is not as good as a propellant-free engine. However, no propellant The technical difficulty of the engine is too high, it is unimaginably high."

Comparing the working medium engine and the non-working medium engine, it is easy to find that the non-working medium engine is the most suitable power for space flight. However, the technical threshold is too high, unimaginably high.

So far, human beings have not made achievements in the field of non-propellant engines, and there is no mature non-propellant engine technology.

It boils down to one sentence: no propellant engine can only exist in the imagination, and it is impossible to realize it with the existing technology of human beings.

"These two engines, one is low in technical difficulty, and the other is especially suitable for human long-distance voyages, so it is difficult for us to make a decision." Hu Zexiang looked embarrassed.

Everyone agreed.

Ye Chen smiled and said: "This is indeed a problem. How to make a decision depends on our goals. There is no doubt that the nuclear fusion engine is the most suitable power for human beings, and it can allow human beings to travel in space. However, Judging from the current situation of human beings, they have not broken out of the earth, so it is not appropriate to set the goal too high."

Hu Zexiang and the others kept 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 travel beyond the solar system, that is unrealistic.

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

All eyes focused on Ye Chen, waiting quietly for his answer.

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

"Moon?" Hu Zexiang asked in confusion.

"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'll tell you now that our country is about to launch a lunar development plan."

"What? The lunar development plan?" Hu Zexiang and the others were shocked.

The lunar development program is now top secret. However, with Hu Zexiang's secrecy level, it can be known. Of course, they can only know that our country is going to develop the moon, and they can't know anything else.

"In this case, it is very suitable to set it as the moon." After a 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, and more That’s a lot, and it can last for 10,000 years. If the engine we’re working on is successful, it could boost the lunar development program.”

This is very reasonable.

The most difficult thing in developing the moon is the transportation problem. Existing means of transportation are not suitable. Although the rocket can meet the requirements, the rocket is notorious for its high consumption and low efficiency, and the cost is too high.

If the nuclear fusion engine is successful, the power problem will be solved, and a large transport ship can be manufactured to send the resources on the moon back to the earth. At the same time, the supply equipment on the earth can be transported to the moon.

This reduces the cost a lot.

"After the moon goal is solved, we will solve Mars, Jupiter and Mercury. This can be used as a medium-term goal." Ye Chen said again.

The moon must be developed. Who said 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?

After solving the problem of the moon, it is very appropriate to solve the problem of Mars, Mercury and Jupiter.

"It makes sense, it makes sense." Hu Zexiang and the others appreciated it very much.

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

Hu Zexiang and the others quickly exchanged views and reached a consensus soon.

"Xiaoye, the goal you proposed is very practical and very feasible." Hu Zexiang spoke on behalf of the team, saying: "According to this plan, the research work of nuclear fusion engines can be divided into two steps. The first step is to study the working medium engine .Although the working medium engine has various shortcomings, it can fully meet our needs for developing the moon and even exploring Mars and Jupiter.”

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

"If we want to go out of the solar system and go to the Milky Way, the propellant engine can't meet our requirements. We must make a propellant-free engine. This is our second step." Hu Zexiang finally said.

If human beings want to rush out of the solar system and go further, they must study non-propellant engines, otherwise they will never even think about it.

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

With the existing technical conditions, it is unrealistic to study the engine without working medium. However, it is still feasible to study working fluid engines.

Divided into two steps, it became inevitable.

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

"Now that the direction is clear, we should report to the higher authorities." Hu Zexiang suggested.

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

Everyone had no objection, 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 got on the phone, greeted Ye Chen with a smile on his face, and asked, "Xiao Ye, is the research direction of nuclear fusion engine determined?"

The research direction of nuclear fusion activation must be discussed with Ye Chen, and it can only be determined after listening to Ye Chen's opinion.

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

"Okay, let's talk." The chief looked focused.

Ye Chen told the result of the discussion.

"Xiaoye, your proposal is very good, practical and highly feasible, I think it's okay." The chief thought for a while and then made a decision.

After the chief makes a decision, Ye Chen and the others will prepare a formal plan and submit it to the state for approval. This matter is left to Hu Zexiang and the others.

After several days of hard work, the compilation was finally completed. Ye Chen saw that there was no problem, so he formally submitted it to the country.

Then, the research work officially started, and Ye Chen also joined in, conducting theoretical research with Hu Zexiang and the others.

The advanced technology mastered by Ye Chen is very useful for exploring the theory of working fluid engines. Ye Chen put forward many constructive suggestions, which made Hu Zexiang and the others deeply moved.

They already knew that Ye Chen was very powerful, and now they saw it with their own eyes, and they were amazed.

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