Fusion is the process which powers the sun and the stars. It is energy that makes all life on earth possible. It is called “fusion” because the energy is produced by fusing together light atoms, such as hydrogen, at the extremely high pressure and temperatures which exist at the center of the sun. at the high temperatures experienced in the sun any gas becomes plasma.
A fusion reaction is about four million times more energetic than a chemical reaction such as the burning of coal, oil or gas. With current technology, the reaction most readily feasible is between the nuclei of the two heavy forms of hydrogen- deutrium (D) and tritium(T). On a mass basis, the D-T fusion reaction release over four times as much energy as uranium fission.
In a fusion reactor, the concept is that neutrons generated from the D-T fusion reaction will be absorbed in a blanket containing lithium which surrounds the core. The lithium then transformed into tritium (which is used to fuel the reactor) and helium. The blanket must be thick enough to slow down the high-energy neutrons. The kinetic energy of the neutrons is absorbed by the blanket, causing it to heat up. The heat energy is collected by the coolant flowing through the blanket and, in a fusion power plant this energy will be used to generate electricity by conventional methods.
- Fusion as an energy source, W.J. Nuttal. 2008
