Plasma Fusion MAIN3 Final

7/29/2019 Plasma Fusion MAIN3 Final

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Plasma

FusionThe energy source of thefuture.


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What is Fusion?Fusion is a nuclear reaction (a reaction

involving nucleons). Like chemical reactions,these reactions involve a netrelease/absorption of energy.

Fusion is the process where 2 small nuclei aremerged to form a lighter particle, and aheavier nucleus.

A common example, which takes place in the

sun, is deuterium and tritium forming heliumand a single neutron.

[1]


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When this occurs the total mass decreases

slightly, with connection to nuclear bindingenergy.(1) This is implied by Einsteinsfamous equation, the mass lost must bechanged into energy.

Typically the atoms to the left ofthe curve release energy from

fusion, those on the right release

energy from fission. Iron is the most stable element at

the top of the curve and is

effectively inert.[1]


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What is plasma?A plasma is an ionised gas, known as the

fourth state of matter.

This is when the electrons have beendissociated from their nuclei.

As plasma consists of separated chargedparticles, electric fields are present.

As the charged particles move, current flows,inducing magnetic fields.

[2]


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As a result of these properties, fusion can

occur within plasmaIf a strong enough magnetic field is applied,

the nuclei in the plasma can fuse, if this forceis sustained for a long enough time.

[2]


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Graph Of Potential

Energy Between 2Protons

[3]


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Why Nuclear Fusion?

Nuclear fusion could meet the increasing worldenergy demand.

Fusion produces almost no carbon dioxideemission which is one of the major green housegases

Fusion is safe.

Fusion is a sustainable energy source.

[4,5,6]


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Fusion & Plasma The

Perfect MatchThe equation used to calculate the

temperature for fusion to occur is:

The ideal fuel for a material at thistemperature is a plasma.

As fusion will only occur at plasma

temperatures, its logical for any realisticplasma generators to allow fusion to occur ina controlled, confined plasma. Wherein liesthe main issue.

kTE

=2

3

[7,8,9,10]


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Confinement Issues

Extreme temperatures and the nature of theplasma mean it will try to occupy all availablespace. In this event it will reach the walls

which is not exactly helpful.If the plasma is moving at any significant

velocity its momentum and any turbulencethat occurs will increase the chances of the

plasma reaching the walls.

[11,12]


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Fusion Chamber

[11]


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Plasma In A Toroidal

SystemLinear systems were designed but failed

because they could not effectively contain theplasma.

This led to the development of the toroidalsystem.

A toroidal system effectively confines theplasma.

[12]


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Spherical Tokamak

Commercial toroidal shapedfusion chamber in whichplasma is confined

Plasma is heated to 100million degrees

Large current required tomaintain the field containingplasma

Plasma DOES NOT touch wallsof chamber.

[13]


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Heating the Plasma

Currently insufficient energy is produced tomaintain the plasma temperature.

Device operates in pulses.

Three ways to heat plasma :

- Ohmic heating

- Neutral Beam Injection

- Radio Frequency Heating

[14]


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JET- EFDA

Joint European Torus European FusionDevelopment Agreement

Nuclear fusion research organisation

Aims to realise the use of fusion technology tocreate sustainable energy at economicallycompetitive costs.

Currently in the development of ...

[15]


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ITER

[13]


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ITER

International Thermonuclear ExperimentalReactor

Latest fusion device that aims to demonstratescientific and technical feasibility of fusionpower.

To be implemented in a power plant.

Based on the spherical tokamak concept.The design of device finished in 2006.

Construction is due to be complete in 2018.

[13]


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How IT(ER) works

Plasma used to fuse hydrogen isotopes

Torus is covered by a lithium blanket

Fusion releases high energy neutronsNeutrons are stopped by the lithium blanket

absorbing energy of the neutrons in theprocess

This creates heatThis then used to turn a turbine

[13]


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History of Fusion

The inspiration that led to discovering fusioncame from the question Why does the sunshine?

One of the first major steps in understandingthis was Einstein's E=mc2

It was first properly formulated in Hans

Bethes paper Energy production in stars,which led to him winning the Nobel prize.

[17,18]


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Experimental

Development of FusionThe first experiments were carried out in the

Cavendish laboratory, but it wasnt until afterthe Manhattan project that there was major

interest in fusion.In the UK many projects were carried out

including ventures at Imperial College.

These culminated in the ZETA (Zero EnergyToroidal Assembly) that gave many

promising results in the period from 1954-1958.

[17,18]


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Tokamaks

After the atoms for peace conference in1958 there was co-operation between theRussians and British, leading to the

verification and development of tokamaks.The name tokamak comes from (toroidal'nayakamera s magnitnymi katushkami)

Tokamaks are the basis of the JET and the

ITER projects.

[16]


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Future of FusionWhen the ITER project comes online it is

expected to run for 1000 seconds with amaximum output of 500MW.

Beyond ITER a project called DEMO isplanned, which will go 25 times beyondbreakeven point, whereas ITER is only 10times beyond.

Although progress is encouraging it is likelythat a commercially viable reactor will not berunning before 2050.

[19,20,21,22,


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Disadvantages of Fusion

The release of neutrons will activatematerials, making them radioactive.

There is also a risk of tritium leaking into

water systems or the atmosphereWhen plants are deactivated there will be an

abundance of radioactive waste.

Due to the high capital costs and necessaryskills it is not a viable option for manydeveloping countries

[25,26]


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Energy for the Future?

Still a technology in the development stages

It is a long term solution, commercial plantsare not going to be readily available for many

years.In the mans everlasting quest for more

energy, is fusion the best solution?

Looking at these incredulities, it can only be

realised by the power of the fusion. Thequestion stands :

Do we need fusion? And the answer will beyes if not now then in the future.


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Fusion as an energy source. Prepared for IOP by W. J. Nuttall 09.2008. p1

introduction to plasma physics by R.J. Goldston and Paul Harding Rutherford

http://www.opencourse.info/astronomy/introduction/12.sun_interior/

BP Review of World Energy 2008

http://www.solarenergy.org/resources/energyfacts.html

Fusion as an Energy Source A guide from the Institute of Physics

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle-http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~imamura/208/jan27/hup.html

Quantum Tunnelling-http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/quantum/barr.html#c1

Wave Function-http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase /hframe.html

Young and Freedman, University Physics

Basic Magnetic Confinement (+pic)-http://www-fusion-magnetique.cea.fr/gb/fusion/principes/principes02.htm

Confinement and Heating info-http://www.fusion-eur.org/fusion_cd/magnetic.htm

http://www.iter.org/ http://www.scienceworld.physics.co.uk

www.jet.efda.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_nuclear_fusion

http://www.efda.org/fusion_energy/short_history_of_fusion_research.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/fu/fu_int/article_1247_en.htm

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19025543.300-editorial-nuclear-fusion-must-be-worth-the-gamble.html NewScientist, last update 7th June 2006

http://www.iter.org/cost.htm ITER Official Site, last accessed 18th January 2009 http://www.iter.org/a/index_nav_4.htm ITER Official Site, last accessed 18th January 2009

http://fusionforenergy.europa.eu/3_4_demo_en.htm, last accessed 18th January

Gleick, Peter, The Worlds Water 2002 2003. Island Press, Washington DC, 1998

Martin, James, The Meaning of the 21st Century, Eden Project Books, 2006

www.world-nulcear.org

www.parliament.uk
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Plasma Fusion MAIN3 Final