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Nuclear Fusion1

This document discusses nuclear fusion as a source of energy. It describes how fusion works by joining hydrogen isotopes at temperatures over 100 million degrees Kelvin to produce helium. Three key requirements for nuclear fusion are outlined: plasma temperatures over 100 million Kelvin, energy confinement times of 4-6 seconds, and plasma densities of 1-2x1020 particles per cubic meter. Current research challenges include controlling high temperature plasma and examples of fusion experiments like JET and the planned ITER reactor are provided. The advantages of fusion include abundant fuel sources and an inherently safe and emissions-free process.

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VARUN SHARMA
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93 views12 pages

Nuclear Fusion1

This document discusses nuclear fusion as a source of energy. It describes how fusion works by joining hydrogen isotopes at temperatures over 100 million degrees Kelvin to produce helium. Three key requirements for nuclear fusion are outlined: plasma temperatures over 100 million Kelvin, energy confinement times of 4-6 seconds, and plasma densities of 1-2x1020 particles per cubic meter. Current research challenges include controlling high temperature plasma and examples of fusion experiments like JET and the planned ITER reactor are provided. The advantages of fusion include abundant fuel sources and an inherently safe and emissions-free process.

Uploaded by

VARUN SHARMA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nuclear Fusion

Energy
Rishi Gohil
ChE 379: Energy Technology and Policy
Dr. Thomas Edgar
Fall 2007

Nuclear Fusion Principle


Energy generated by joining two elements with
low atomic numbers.
Most efficient reaction known is fusion of
Hydrogen isotopes, Deuterium and Tritium, to
form Helium.
Fusion is source of energy for stars and the Sun.
High temperatures > 100 million degrees Kelvin
needed for fusion on earth
At high temperature, the gas mixture forms a
plasma (hot, electrically charged gas)

Nuclear Fusion
This reaction releases 17.6 MeV of
energy. No limit on amount of fusion that
can occur (unlike fission).

Requirements for Fusion Reaction


Plasma Temperature:100-200 million Kelvin
Needed to overcome natural positive repulsive forces
of plasma ions

Energy Confinement Time: 4-6 seconds


The Energy Confinement Time is a measure of how
long the energy in the plasma is retained before being
lost.

Central Density in Plasma:1-2 x 1020 particles m-3


Large density needed because number of fusion
reactions per unit volume is roughly proportional to the
square of the density

Plasma Toroid (Tokamak)

Flow of Energy

Challenges
Current research in controlling high
temperature plasma
How to heat plasma to >100 million deg C.
How to confine such a plasma
How to sustain the reactions.

Advantages
Abundant fuels: Deuterium (from water),
Tritium (from Lithium) and Lithium
(plentiful on Earths crust).
Inherently safe: Because conditions for
reaction are stringent and small amounts
of fuel used
Environmentally safe: No greenhouse gas
emissions and byproduct of reaction is
Helium.

JET (Joint European Torus)


JET: Worlds largest nuclear fusion
research facility

Fusion Reactor
EU to build pilot fusion reactor, Iter.

Cost: 4.57 Billion EURO (2000 prices) over 10 yrs


Life: 35 years
Countries Involved: 7
Design: reactions occur in 100 million degree gas (plasma)
suspended in donut shaped magnetic field.
Problems: Sustained and stable reactions
Potential: 500 MW output from 70 MW power input during
pulses of at least 400 secs.
If technology works commercial reactor, Demo, will be built.
Advantages: No greenhouse emissions, inherently safe due to
malfunction shutdown systems, no high-level long-lived
radioactive waste produced.

Iter Timeline

References

"Nuclear Fusion 'Put to the Test'" BBC NEWS 17 Feb. 2005. 19 Nov. 2007
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/science/nature/4270297.stm>.

Fusion Power." United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. 20 Nov. 2007.


<http://www.fusion.org.uk/>.

"JET." EFDA. 20 Nov. 2007. <http://www.jet.efda.org/index.html>.


Nuclear Fusion howstuffworks.19 Nov 2007. Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.
<http://science.howstuffworks.com/fusion-reactor3.htm>

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