Methods of Fusion :: Nuclear

Methods of Fusion Abstract Nuclear fusion was discussed in this paper. First, the reader is given an introduction to nuclear power and is then led to fission/fusion. Fusion is discussed as being better than fission and reasons are given as to why that is so. Fusion methods are then discussed and current and planned machines are placed for discussion. Lastly, the machines are summarized. Introduction Today, you hear news about nuclear power. But what is nuclear power? Well, in an atom, there is a force known as the strong nuclear force, which exists in atoms. The first way is fission, which breaks the atom apart using some method. This is the method that is currently providing 20% of the power in the power grid. The other less developed method is still in the testing stage but the basic concept is fusion. Hydrogen isotopes (atoms with different numbers of neutrons) are combined together using several different methods which will be discussed later. This results in bonds, which generate energy (Jensen 2006). Discussion Now you know how fission is being utilized throughout the world, and you have a basic idea of how nuclear power works. However, there is a problem with nuclear fission being that there are many dangers. For one, nuclear fission creates nuclear waste, which cannot be destroyed and must be stored somewhere. Also, this waste is radioactive which makes the life surrounding the waste exposed to radiation and as a result, the waste destroys the nearby ecosystem. Also, if there happens to be a meltdown, radiation could spread for miles depending on the wind and kill many people. Take Chernobyl for example. There was a nuclear reactor there that meltdown. As a result, the area in a 20- Methods of Fusion mile radius around the plant had to be evacuated because the radiation levels were so high. The fuel is uncommon and takes time to purify in some cases. The solution to this problem is to use nuclear fusion. Through this, humankind has a much better way to create energy on the scale of MW. Not to mention, the fuel needed for nuclear fusion is only deuterium and tritium, which is an isotope of hydrogen, the most common element on Earth. Also, the energy output is very high. For example, JET, the Joint European Tokomak can produce 16 MW in one pulse. That’s 16 million watts. Also, the waste product of the fusion reactor is not radioactive but is instead helium.