Fusion Technology: The Energy Power

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Fusion Technology The Energy Power
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Introduction

• Fusion power is the generation of energy by
  nuclear fusion. Fusion reactions are high energy
  reactions in which two lighteratomic nuclei fuse
  to form a heavier nucleus. When they combine,
  some of the mass is lost.
• This is converted into energy through E mc2
  Fusion power is a research effort to try and
  harness this energy to power large scale cleaner
  energy. It is also a major part of plasma physics
  research.

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• In large scale commercial proposals, heat from
  the fusion reaction is used to operate a steam
  turbine that drives electrical generators, as in
  existing fossil fuel and nuclear fission power
  stations.

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• How Fusion Technology works?

• In a fusion reaction, energy is released when two
  light atomic nuclei are fused together to form
  one heavier atom. This is the process that
  provides the energy powering the Sun and other
  stars, where hydrogen nuclei are combined to form
  helium.

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• To achieve high enough fusion reaction rates to
  make fusion useful as an energy source, the fuel
  (two types of hydrogen-deuterium and tritium)
  must be heated to temperatures over 100 million
  degrees Celsius. At these temperatures the fuel
  becomes a plasma.
• This incredibly hot plasma is also extremely thin
  and fragile, a million times less dense than air.
  To keep the plasma from being contaminated and
  cooled by contact with material surfaces it is
  contained in a magnetic confinement system.

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The Need for Fusion Technology

• Energy supplies are an essential requirement for
  economic growth and enhancement of life
  standards. To sustain and increase the present
  rate of world energy use, according to
  expectations for this century,
• There are Three large Energy
• 1.Solar Energy.
• 2.Fission with Breeding.
• 3.Fusion.

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• Benefits of Fusion Technology

• Benefits
• No Carbon Emissions
• The only by-products of fusion reactions are
  small amounts of helium, which is an inert gas
  that will not add to atmospheric pollution.
• Abundant Fuels
• Deuterium can be extracted from water and tritium
  is produced from lithium, which is found in the
  earth's crust. Fuel supplies will therefore last
  for millions of years.

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• Energy Efficiency
• One kilogram of fusion fuel can provide the same
  amount of energy as 10 million kilograms of
  fossil fuel.
• No long-lived Radioactive Waste
• Only plant components become radioactive and
  these will be safe to recycle or dispose of
  conventionally within 100 years.

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• Safety
• The small amounts of fuel used in fusion devices
  (about the weight of a postage stamp at any one
  time) means that a large-scale nuclear accident
  is not possible.
• Reliable Power
• Fusion power plants should provide a baseload
  supply of large amounts of electricity, at costs
  that are estimated to be broadly similar to other
  energy sources.

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Advantages of Fusion Technology

• Clean energy. No greenhouse gases.
• Virtually limitless fuel available. (The
  deuterium can be distilled from seawater and the
  tritium can be bred in the reactor.)
• No chain reaction. Easier to control or stop than
  fission.
• Very low fuel cost.

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Disadvantages of FusionTechnology

• Unproven at anything resembling commercial scale.
• Could produce a net negative amount of energy.
• If cold fusion could be achieved, it would be
  much easier to implement.

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