[source: Wikipedia Fusion Power]
For quite some time i have been thinking how the sun manage never to run out of power. Because the sun has actually been existing for a very long time even up to this very moment it still exist and the power is still strong just like yesterday. After thorough research it was made known that source of power use by the sun was actually fusion energy. To me i call this kind of energy everlasting energy, because it is a type of energy that never stop. Imagine the world having a regular and non stop power supply(fusion energy) enough energy capable to feed the whole universe. This will actually lead to an end in the use of fossil fuel and other alternative source of power we currently use. At this point there will be an increased research on how to store power since it will become readily available. It is of no doubt almost everything in the world will be re-configured to use electricity as a means of power, for example there will be improved and good electric powered car, planes, trains and so many more. The next question you may want to ask is "could this be made possible at all? "
Why not find out as you read below.
What is fusion energy?
As the name implies, fusion energy is a form power which is derived from the fusion of dueterium, tritium and helium.
[source: Wikipedia: Fusion Power]
Mind you two lighter atomic nuclei can be use to form a more heavy nucleus. Fusion energy is of no doubt the next generation of power, as energy is generated by using fusion reaction to generate heat in which the energy from such heat can be configure into electricity.
For more understanding let me quickly brief you on each of the necessary atom needed to make this fusion possible.
- Deuterium: This is a stable isotopes of hydrogen also known as heavy hydrogen. Deuterium comes from the greek word deuteros meaning second. The nucleus of deuterium is a composition of two particles which is one proton and one neuron.
Deuterium are not scarce as they can be found easily here on earth mostly on ocean water. Deuterium is said to account for approximately 0.0156% (or on a mass basis, 0.0312%) of all natural occurring hydrogen in the ocean, while proton in it account for more than 99.98% source
The nucleus of deuterium are called deutron. This atom can also be use for nuclear weapons in other to make nuclear bomb, NMR Spectrosopy,Nuclear reactor an some drugs.
[Source: Wikipedia - Tritium]
- Tritium: The name tritium comes from the greek word(tritos) meaning "third" which is use to denote a composition of three particles which is one proton and two neutron which serves as the nucleus.
This is known to be a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. Unlike deuterium which can be found anywhere, tritium are very scarce and cannot just be found only in specific places like except at the nuclear war head. As they can only be produced form irritating lithium metal, lithium bearing, ceramic pebbles in a nuclear reactor. Also tritium can also be productive in heavy water moderated reactors. Since tritium are known to be very scarce, research have made an alternative to replace it in other to make the fusion which is called helium-3. This elements is less scare it said that it can be found on the moon. Since the solar wind from the sun travel across space might have deposited enough helium on the moon.
- Helium: As we all know that helium known to be the second element after hydrogen in the periodic table. Helium is colorless, odorless, tasteless and nontoxic element. Helium comes from the greek word helios, lit meaning sun. Helium is said to be one of the most abundant element in the universe. Helium is from a radioactive decay and nuclear fusion, which is as a result of a very high nuclear binding energy (per nuclear) of helium-4. Among the nine known isotope of helium only helium-3 and helium-4 are stable, which make it more significant and relevant to carryout fusion energy process.
At this point i will say you have some idea about the particles necessary to make a fusion possible it is high time to you got to know how scientist plan to make this fusion work in other to bring out the expected results.
This first method is through magnetic confinement and the second one is through internal confinement. The goal of each confinement is to make the fusion of each atom temperature rise up to a stage that it becomes a plasma so to extract their energy.
[Source: Tokamak magnetic fields]
The first method which is the magnetic confinement tend to squeeze plasma in a donut-shaped chamber where the reaction will later take place. This magnetic reactor make use of super conducting electromagnet cooled with hilium to a degree of absolute zero. This fusion reaction combine light atomic nuclei such as hydrogen to form a more heavier one such as hilium, producing energy. In other to overcome the electro static repulsion between the nuclei they must have a temperature of several tens of millions of degree under which will make them no longer exist as atom but appear as plasma.sourceThese method of confinement tend to make this happen by using electrical conductivity of the plasma to contain the plasma within the magnetic fields.
[Source: Wikipedia - Nuclear fusion
]
Inertial confinement fusion intend to makes use of pulses from super power lasers to heat the surface of fuel typically in the form of pellets that contains a mixture of deuterium and tritium. Which simply means that the methods intended through this method is by heating all the atom necessary for the fusion with a laser so as to make a plasma necessary to release the necessary energy needed.
The world's largest tokamak, JET (Joint European Torus), has produced 16 megawatts of fusion power and proved the technical feasibility of fusion using deuterium and tritium, currently considered the most efficient fuels. The challenge now is to prove fusion can work on a power plant scale.source Though two confinement method explain above are still regarded as an on going experiment, as scientist are still making more research to make the best confinement method for large scale power plant.
Advantages of fusion power
Zero carbon emissions as helium happen to be the only by-product created from fusion.
There will be reliable power supply ready for use anytime.
It is of no doubt that there will be abundant fuel supply which are readily available.
It should be noted that Thirty-five nations including united states are contributing to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (Iter) being built at Saint-Paul-les-Durance in southern France, which they said will be ready by 2025.source
Conclusion
Having fusion energy as a source of power will help to create a record for unlimited power supply through out the whole, this also helped to put an end to air pollution, as it will give room for unlimited power supply.
Thank you for reading, remain blessed and keep steeming.
i still remain my humble self @mayowadavid
Image Sources [1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
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References
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The sun structure and nuclear fusion The UK Just Switched on an Ambitious Fusion Reactor - And It Works |
[Wikipedia :Fusion power |
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