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Nuclear Fusion - Online Papers

Nuclear Fusion

is constantly present in our solar system. In the core of the sun, Hydrogen is converted to Helium providing enough energy to sustain life on earth. This process occurs at temperatures of 10-15 million degrees Celsius.
We are now trying different methods here on Earth to make fusion the next large-scale energy source. The most suitable reaction occurs between the nuclei of the two isotopes of Hydrogen - Deuterium (D) and Tritium (T). Scientist have already begun to test reactions involving just Deuterium or Deuterium and Helium (3He). (JSPF, Source 2)
The basic equation for D-T is Deuterium + Tritium ------ Helium-4 + neutron.
The amount of material fuel needed for fusion is rather low. ...

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only at very high temperatures. Over 100 million degrees Celsius is needed for the Deuterium-Tritium reaction, while other reactions require even higher temperatures. (Hotta Labs, Source 1)
The density of fuel ions must be sufficiently large for fusion reactions to take place at the required rate. The fusion power generated is reduced if the fuel is diluted by impurity atoms released from surrounding material surfaces or by the accumulation of Helium "ash" from the fusion reaction. As fuel ions are burnt in the fusion process they must be replaced by new fuel and the Helium ash must be removed. (U.S. Energy Science Program, Source 5)
To fuel reactions, scientists heat a gas until its components dissociate (separate) in a process appropriately named dissociation. Once the gas's particles are separated into a mass of charged particles, ions, and electrons, plasma is formed. Plasma, characterized by very hot temperatures, is the actual fuel of fusion reactions as well as the fourth ...

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 11/28/2006 10:25:47 AM
Category: Science & Nature
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 886
Pages: 4

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