MHD plasma physics in rail accelerators for hydrogen-pellet injection in fusion reactors

In this paper the behavior of the electromagnetic and thermal qualitities in a plasma arc placed between two conducting rails is analyzed. The plasma hydrogen armature drives the hydrogen pellets for the refueling of magnetic fusion reactors. Considering the general equations of electromagnetic and of plasma fluid dynamics and assuming steady-state conditions in a frame which is moving at the same rate as the plasma arc armature, as monodimensional model is deduced. The effects of an applied magnetic field on the behavior of all flow variables are particularly investigated