Nuclear Fusion
Kaleb Hente and Denny Ponte
Definition
Fuel
The Fusion itself is inexhaustible, composed of hydrogen isotopes (Deuterium and Tritium)
How it Works
http://futurism.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-fusion-energy/
Discovered and first used
-First ever used by stars
-First used by humans in creating the Hydrogen bomb.
http://lppfusion.com/fusion-power/brief-history-of-fusion-power/
Where and how it is used today
-Underway by China, Brazil, Canada, and Korea.
Currently used in bombs.
Used to power grids and cities in future.
http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-fusion-power.aspx
quotes
-Stephen Hawking
"I really have become convinced that nuclear fusion is our energy future. It's so powerful. I mean, it is the power of the stars. If we could bring that down to the laboratory and to the power plant of Earth, that would be and incredible thing."
-Taylor Wilson
"Watching cold fusion is like watching water boil in slow motion. First, sufficient deuterium has to penetrate the palladium electrode. This can take a few weeks. Then, if excess heat is generated during the next month or two, accurate temperature readings require extreme precautions to exclude environmental effects."
-Charles Platt
brainyquote.com
faq
-The turbulence of racing particles reach to the plasma edge in just one second.
How is plasma contained?
-good insulation from the material surfaces allows low density of plasma to be heated to the very high temperatures required for fusion.
How are high temperatures achieved?
-Good insulation, the application of high power leads to a temperature above 100 milion degrees celsius.
Are all fuel costs significant?
-The fuel would contribute much less than 1% to the cost of electricity.
What are the dominant costs foreseen in a fusion power plant?
-The superconducting magnets and the mere structure of the plant itself serve as the dominant costs for a fusion power plant.
Pros and cons
-Clean energy.
-Virtually limitless fuel available.
-No chain reaction.
-Little or no nuclear waste.
- Very low fuel costs.
Cons
-No full scale production till about 2050
-Very high temperatures which are hard to contain
-Commercial power plants are expensive
-Could produce a net negative amount of energy
www.triplepundit.com