Nuclear Fusion - Bringing the Sun to Earth

Essay , 2011 , 10 Pages

Engineering - Nuclear Engineering

The dream that a bathtub of water and 100 g lithium could supply a family for 50 years with electricity stimulated scientists since the 1940s all over the world to make every effort to construct a working fusion reactor that uses the most fundamental of all energy sources: the nuclear fusion that fuels sun.

In the late 1940’s scientists began to investigate if it was possible to use the nuclear fusion, that had been discovered to be the sun’s fuel, as an energy source on earth. The source of fusion energy is the binding energy of the atoms.

The details of the physics behind fusion as well as the challenges facing the engineers to build a working reactor are outlined here. Both feasible possibilities of confinement, the Tokamak and the Stellarator are explained and discussed.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Nuclear fusion in sun
• Nuclear fusion on earth
  • Fusion reactions
  • The conditions of ignition
• The magnetic confinement
  • The Tokamak
  • The Stellarator
• Nuclear fusion as energy source
  • The fusion power plant
  • Safety and environmental issues
• The progress of fusion research

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This work provides a comprehensive overview of nuclear fusion, exploring its scientific principles, its potential as an energy source, and the challenges involved in harnessing this powerful force.

• The history and scientific understanding of nuclear fusion
• The process of nuclear fusion in the sun
• The technical challenges and advancements in achieving fusion on Earth
• The potential of fusion energy as a clean and sustainable source of power
• The safety and environmental implications of nuclear fusion

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of nuclear fusion and its potential to provide a sustainable energy source. It emphasizes the historical significance of fusion research, starting with attempts to understand the energy source of the sun.
• Nuclear fusion in sun: This chapter delves into the process of nuclear fusion in the sun, outlining the conditions necessary for fusion reactions to occur. It explains the proton-proton cycle and how it releases energy, ultimately powering the sun.
• Nuclear fusion on earth: This chapter explores the possibility of utilizing nuclear fusion on Earth as an energy source. It discusses various fusion reactions, focusing on the deuterium-tritium reaction as the most promising for current technology. The chapter also examines the necessary conditions for achieving fusion ignition, including temperature, density, and confinement time.
• The magnetic confinement: This chapter details different methods of magnetic confinement, crucial for achieving the high temperatures and pressures needed for sustained fusion reactions. It discusses the Tokamak and the Stellarator, two leading approaches to magnetic confinement.
• Nuclear fusion as energy source: This chapter explores the potential of nuclear fusion as a future energy source. It discusses the design and challenges of a fusion power plant and addresses the safety and environmental implications of this technology.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This work focuses on the key concepts of nuclear fusion, particularly its scientific principles, its potential as a sustainable energy source, and the challenges involved in its development. The main keywords include nuclear fusion, solar energy, energy source, magnetic confinement, Tokamak, Stellarator, plasma physics, energy production, safety, and environmental impact.

• College: Lancing College
• Author: David Brückner (Author)
• Publication Year: 2011
• Pages: 10
• Catalog Number: V207643
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656353591
• ISBN (Book): 9783656353973
• Language: English
• Tags: nuclear, fusion, bringing, earth