Mixing of plasma columns in a tokamak

The possibility of a new electrotechnical method of plasma heating in tokamak-like toroidal systems is discussed. The method is based on the use of the external poloidal magnetic field energy which was spent on the creation of equilibrium systems of a few separate toroidal columns with parallel currents. The energy of interaction of the separate currents transforms into plasma particle energy during the process of mixing of the plasma columns to form one column. Dissipation takes place because of the generation of a current layer, the reconnection of magnetic field lines and the change of the topological connection of the magnetic surfaces. Qualitative estimates are given of the power of heating and of final-state parameters.