Energy Capture
The fusion reaction will release energy in the form of charged helium atoms and free neutrons. The neutrons will pass out of the plasma and will be slowed by the surrounding liquid metal, transferring heat to the lead in the process. The neutrons will eventually be absorbed into the nuclei of the lithium dissolved in the lead, transforming it into tritium and more helium.
After the reaction ends, the lead will be pumped out of the chamber and passed through a separator that removes both the tritium and helium from the lead solution. The tritium will then be separated from the helium and directed back to the plasma injectors as fuel. The harmless helium will be released into the atmosphere.
The lead will then pass through a heat exchanger that transfers the heat to water to create steam. Approximately half of this steam energy will be used to re-power the pistons and the remaining half can be used in a standard turbine to generate electricity. Each fusion pulse will result in approximately 100 MJ of net electrical output. Varying the cycle repetition rate will control the overall power plant output; if repeated once per second, the net output will be 100 MW. At this power output, a power plant would consume only 18 kg of deuterium and 60 kg of lithium per year.