China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Nuclear Power
Published in Robert Ehrlich, Harold A. Geller, John R. Cressman, Renewable Energy, 2023
Robert Ehrlich, Harold A. Geller, John R. Cressman
The shape of the curve of binding energy suggests a way of extracting nuclear energy during two types of processes: fission and fusion. Very heavy nuclei have less binding energy per nucleon than those closer to iron, and therefore, were a heavy nucleus such as uranium to split (fission) into two lighter ones, the combined mass of the two lighter ones would be less than the original parent nucleus, with the mass loss converted into the released energy. In a similar manner, if two light nuclei were to combine (fuse), energy would also be released by exactly the same argument. To illustrate, consider the d–t fusion reaction, where d and t stand for the hydrogen isotopes known as deuterium and tritium, respectively, which are also often written as 2H and 3H. The d–t reaction can be written as 2H + 3He + 1n, where 1n is a neutron. Given the known respective binding energies of the initial nuclei, i.e., 2.2 and 8.5 MeV, and the final nuclei, i.e., 28.3 and 0 MeV, we find that the reduction in binding energy is 17.6 MeV, so that the mass lost in the reaction is 17.6 MeV/c2, and hence, the energy released is 17.6 MeV. Note that it is convenient here to consider the c2 as simply being part of the units of mass, i.e., MeV/c2.
Important Controlled Fusion Devices
Published in Hitendra K. Malik, Laser-Matter Interaction for Radiation and Energy, 2021
As the energy input to ignite the fuel to achieve fusion is very high, to ensure gain ICF aims to produce about 1020 D-T reactions for each shot from a laser. Moreover, for efficient energy production, the main objective is set to increase the repetition rate of fusion reactions. The helium nucleus carries 20% energy of the fusion yields and by virtue of its electrical charge it tries to remain within the plasma. The neutrons carry 80% of the kinetic energy produced in the fusion reaction and as they do not carry any charge, they can be absorbed easily by the walls of the fusion chamber. This kinetic energy carried by neutrons can be transformed into heat and can boil water into steam that drives a turbine for the production of electrical energy. The D-T fusion has the highest reaction rate of all fusion reactions; therefore, it is the central focus of worldwide fusion research.
Nuclear Power
Published in Robert Ehrlich, Harold A. Geller, Renewable Energy, 2017
Robert Ehrlich, Harold A. Geller
The shape of the curve of binding energy suggests a way of extracting nuclear energy during two types of processes: fission and fusion. Very heavy nuclei have less binding energy per nucleon than those closer to iron, and therefore, were a heavy nucleus such as uranium to split (fission) into two lighter ones, the combined mass of the two lighter ones would be less than the original parent nucleus, with the mass loss converted into the released energy. In a similar manner, if two light nuclei were to combine (fuse), energy would also be released by exactly the same argument. To illustrate, consider the d–t fusion reaction, where d and t stand for the hydrogen isotopes known as deuterium and tritium, respectively, which are also often written as 2H and 3H. The d–t reaction can be written as 2H + 3He + 1n, where 1n is a neutron. Given the known respective binding energies of the initial nuclei, i.e., 2.2 and 8.5 MeV, and the final nuclei, i.e., 28.3 and 0 MeV, we find that the reduction in binding energy is 17.6 MeV, so that the mass lost in the reaction is 17.6 MeV/c2, and hence, the energy released is 17.6 MeV. Note that it is convenient here to consider the c2 as simply being part of the units of mass, i.e., MeV/c2.
Managing Fusion Radioactive Materials: Approaches and Challenges Facing Fusion in the 21st Century
Published in Fusion Science and Technology, 2023
Fusion has long been sought for its safety and environmental advantages over other energy sources. With regard to environmental impact, the mostly helium product of the D-T fusion reaction does not pose environmental issues (like uranium fission or coal combustion products); deuterium fuel exists in seawater while tritium can be bred on-site in Li-based blankets; and fusion reactions do not depend on surrounding materials, leaving designers free to select low-activation materials that decay rapidly within 100 years (possibly for recycling or land-based disposal in near-surface burial sites) and avoid as much as practically possible the generation of high-level radioactive waste (which requires deep geological burial).
Tritium Breeding Ratio Evaluation of Solid Breeder Concepts for the FESS-FNSF
Published in Fusion Science and Technology, 2023
Felipe S. Novais, Nicholas R. Brown, G. Ivan Maldonado
The Fusion Energy System Studies Fusion Nuclear Science Facility1 (FNSF) is an important component of U.S. fusion technology development that intends to close the gap between ITER and a future U.S. DEMO, leading to fusion power plants. Accordingly, the FNSF design provides a realistic test bed to evaluate fusion power recovery, gamma and neutron shielding, nuclear heating, and onsite tritium breeding capabilities. This first generation of fusion reactors employs an exothermic fusion reaction of deuterium and tritium, the D-T fusion reaction, which produces a neutron and an alpha particle: