Fusion21
What is nuclear fusion?
The goal of fusion research is to derive energy from
fusion of atomic nuclei. Nuclear fusion is an important natural process:
Many chemical elements originate from hydrogen through fusion; fusion
is the energy source of the sun and stars. Under terrestrial conditions
it is the two hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and tritium, that fuse most
readily. In the process a helium nucleus is produced, this being accompanied
by release of a neutron and large quantities of useful energy: One gram
of fuel could generate 90,000 kilowatt-hours of energy in a power plant
– the combustion heat of 11 tonnes of coal.
Fusion fuels are cheap and uniformly distributed on earth. Seawater contains deuterium in almost inexhaustible quantities. Tritium, a radioactive gas with a short half-life of 12.3 years, hardly occurs in nature. It can, however, be formed in a power plant from lithium, which is likewise abundantly available. Since, moreover, a fusion power plant will have ecologically favourable properties, fusion could make an enduring contribution to future energy supply.
Fusion reaction of deuterium and tritium
Fusion fuels are cheap and uniformly distributed on earth. Seawater contains deuterium in almost inexhaustible quantities. Tritium, a radioactive gas with a short half-life of 12.3 years, hardly occurs in nature. It can, however, be formed in a power plant from lithium, which is likewise abundantly available. Since, moreover, a fusion power plant will have ecologically favourable properties, fusion could make an enduring contribution to future energy supply.
Fusion reaction of deuterium and tritium
[ Last Update 02.11.2009 | Responsible | Sitemap | IPP-Home | Disclaimer ]