Stefan Boltzmann equation blackbody radiator estimate of optical power output:
A plasma is considered in the blackbody limit when it is optically thick and emits radiation that closely resembles a perfect blackbody spectrum. This occurs when the plasma is “optically thick, “meaning it is dense enough to absorb and re-emit radiation at all wavelengths. In the blackbody limit, a plasma’s emission temperature is equal to its kinetic electron temperature (Te). The electron temperature of a plasma can be determined from its blackbody radiation curve by analyzing the shape and peak wavelength of the emitted spectrum and fitting it to Planck’s Law. The emissivity of a plasma at the blackbody limit is 1. The blackbody emission spectrum of the SunCell is typically between 5000K to 5600K corresponding to an irradiance of 3.54408 X 107 W/m2 and 5.57668 X 107 W/m2, respectively.
Blackbody calculator:
https://www.spectralcalc.com/blackbody_calculator/blackbody.php
The surface area of the plasma that is optically thick can be determined using a camera that captures the central portion that is opaque or thick to radiation as discerned by the absence of transparency. As shown in the video the central plasma is generated at a temperature between 5000K to 5600K by the hydrino reaction while the neutral gas, quartz dome, injectors, and SunCell reaction chamber remains relatively cold due to the transmission of the blackbody radiation through the quartz dome at nearly 100% efficiency (i.e. near the reflection limit) in wavelength of 160 nm to 3 um.
https://www.tydexoptics.com/materials1/for_transmission_optics/crystal_quartz/
Estimate of thermal power output:
Approximate radiating SunCell body surfaces not including the dome is 1022 in2 (0.66 m2). At 800°K the radiative power with e = 1 is 23,226 W/m2 X 0.66 m2 = 15,300 W which matches the required induction heater input power requirement during startup.
Might we bear witness to a high power output run?
Can the SunCell be run at temperatures below 5,500K?
If so, what is the lowest temperature the cell can be successfully & continuously run at, and what would the estimated output power in the low-temperature scenario?
(I read that a minimum of 800K is required in order for the induction to work, so I assume the low-end temperature would be around 1,000K?)
Finally, if all of the above is feasible, and the output power is sufficient to power a single family home (let’s assume 3,000W continuous, no battery backup), then would you consider shipping a low-temperature / low-power version asap?
(This question assumes that building, controlling, and maintaining a low-temperature / low-power reactor is easier to accomplish than a high-temperature / high-power reactor. If this assumption is incorrect then this entire question is moot).
Not Dr. Mills, but the blackbody temp of the plasma needs to be 3000-5600K to more closely match the spectrum that can be absorbed by the cPV.
I would love for there to be a smaller version of the Suncell for home/personal use rated at 5kW. The reasons for that are energy independence for the individual homeowner, an existing solar and inverter network that is usually limited to 5kW power export and sell back to the Central grid for any power not utilised in the home and this could be earning cash 24/7. I could also probably dispose/use/sell any “waste” heat (let’s say 5kW of heat/5kW electrical for 50% efficiency) to anyone on the block with a swimming pool. But the current commercial design I think has to operate at the much higher 250kW level because of the cost to build and run and all the supporting mechanisms would make it not cost effective at smaller rated output powers and would not give the required and maximum level of financial return to BrLP. Assuming a commercially viable 5kW Suncell was even possible, the design would have to be radically changed and simplified and its cost price at a level to make it commercially viable and competitive with other power sources. It’d be fun to try to make one- but resources are limited. I think it could be done but it would need a completely different design and a lot of experimentation.
Dr. Mills, would you be amenable to putting out a video once per week to questions posed here? I realize your time is very limited. Perhaps 5-10 minutes per week?
Dr Mills,
How do you separate true optical power leaving the dome from reabsorbed or internally reflected radiation that later emerges as lower-temperature emission from the quartz?
When do you expect to add photovoltaics to one of these stations and start generating electricity? Or is there something that prevents that?
The liquid medal conductors, presumably Tin at this time are still required to be hot, like a 231.93celsius just to keep them in the liquid state, and a bit higher temperature, to be sure it does not solidify at any point in its cycle through the device. That is also the starting and minimum temperature of the device until the plasma is created. Then the temperature of the Tin gets to a temperature somewhere between that of the plasma and molten Tin. That means that the Tin circulates through its reservoir at a much higher temperature than it had at the startup. That then is excess heat that has to be either insulated to stay inside the whole Tin circuit to prevent other parts from getting as hot as the plasma or the reservoir has to have that extra heat removed to the outside, before that heat circulates through the hydrodynamic pump or other nearby parts which could get over heated and operate with less efficiency or even break down due to being as hot as or at least much hotter than the Tin need be. S
So, how much of the heat that, is generated inside the reaction chamber, is to be removed from that reaction by the Tin conductors? This is in reference to the whole temperature/ energy economy generated by the hydrino reaction and then required to be turned into black body radiation that, in turn, is used by the HPV cell, to be turned into electric power for an overall efficiency of the device in producing that electric power?
Why not use mercury it’s already a liquid and a good conductor of electricity?
Mercury is a hazardous substance, and vaporized mercury even more so. So much so that the CDC has its own YouTube video “Don’t mess with Mercury “.
The zoomed video shows an optically thick plasma of a fraction of the volume of the quartz vessel. Yet, the optically thick volume to which you refer has a surface area of 0.66 m2. I’m confused.
I believe this refers to the rest of the device, not the plasma itself. Note the 800K, which is consistent with the expected surface temperature of e.g. the molten metal reservoir and arms below the quartz dome.