Thermonuclear energy – Obtained by fusion
Thermonuclear energy – Obtained by fusion – combining the nuclei of light elements. Under earthly conditions, it is possible to use isotopes, i.e. heavier forms of hydrogen: deuterium and tritium. The former has a proton and a neutron in its nucleus, and it is quite common in water. The second one, made of a proton and two neutrons, does not occur naturally. But it can be easily obtained from another light element – lithium.
JET (Joint European Torus)
Tritium is used in experiments at JET (Joint European Torus). Which is near Oxford, UK. It is a tokamak reactor – a bagel-shaped chamber in which the hot gas, i.e. plasma, will be trapped by the magnetic field. It must reach enormous temperatures, on the order of 100 million degrees Celsius, for the thermonuclear reactions to begin. – We have come to the point where we can try out in practice what we have been preparing for years. – explains Dr. Joelle Mailloux, co-leader of the JET science team.
Recent Comments