1 year, 3 months ago
How would a theoretical nuclear fusion reactor contain the massive amounts of energy generated by the fusion reaction?
I was looking around at some articles about fusion, and one of them talked about reaching temperatures of up to 100 million kelvin during a fusion reaction, nearly 10 times hotter than the sun. So, how would you even begin to contain something that hot? And then how could you draw the energy safely away without creating an H-bomb?
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M$1 Answer
This is not a problem. The amount of energy from fusion is proportional to the amount of matter destroyed, just as in fission. So small amounts of fuel are used at a time.
The containment is likely to be done in a magnetic field. However, that may not be necessary if the fusion is created by tight laser beams on tiny particles of fuel. What method will prove economical and practical is not yet known.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/story_media/339285739/Fusion-power-becomes-econom.jpg
There is no danger of an accidental bomb. Unlike fission reactors a fusion reactor that goes wrong will stop rather than run away. It requires constant input to continue the reaction, rather than constant restraint to prevent excess heat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power
http://science.howstuffworks.com/fusion-reactor.htm
http://science.howstuffworks.com/fusion-reactor5.htm
The containment is likely to be done in a magnetic field. However, that may not be necessary if the fusion is created by tight laser beams on tiny particles of fuel. What method will prove economical and practical is not yet known.
There is no danger of an accidental bomb. Unlike fission reactors a fusion reactor that goes wrong will stop rather than run away. It requires constant input to continue the reaction, rather than constant restraint to prevent excess heat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power
http://science.howstuffworks.com/fusion-reactor.htm
http://science.howstuffworks.com/fusion-reactor5.htm
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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