Nuclear fusion: Difference between revisions
→An energy option for the future?
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<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2005.08.015 C. LLewellyn Smith, Fusion Engineering and Design '''74''', Issues 1-4 (2005) 3-8]</ref> | <ref>[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fusengdes.2005.08.015 C. LLewellyn Smith, Fusion Engineering and Design '''74''', Issues 1-4 (2005) 3-8]</ref> | ||
While increased investment and improved focus of the current research efforts can certainly help to speed up progress, even under optimal conditions the time needed to achieve the first delivery of fusion-produced energy to the electricity grid is considerable, and it is unlikely that fusion can contribute to solving the short-term energy crisis (in the coming decades). Fusion must therefore be considered an energy option for the medium to long term. | While increased investment and improved focus of the current research efforts can certainly help to speed up progress, even under optimal conditions the time needed to achieve the first delivery of fusion-produced energy to the electricity grid is considerable, and it is unlikely that fusion can contribute to solving the short-term energy crisis (in the coming decades). Fusion must therefore be considered an energy option for the medium to long term. | ||
== A Nuclear Fusion reactor == | |||
The nuclear reaction that is easier to obtain is based on the deuterium-tritium (DT) reaction. | |||
A nuclear power reactor delivering 1GW of electric power to the network would aproximately consume 200 kg of Tritium a year. The current world reserves are of about 29 kg of tritium. Then, a nuclear fusion reactor must provide its own fuel. This is obtained using the so called breeders. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||