Nuclear Fusion
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: IE
Context: China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) reactor set a new milestone by sustaining a plasma state for over 1,000 seconds (17 minutes).
About Nuclear Fusion:
• What is Nuclear Fusion? Nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing immense energy—the same process that powers the Sun and other stars.
• Nuclear fusion is a process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing immense energy—the same process that powers the Sun and other stars.
• How it works?
• High Temperature & Plasma Formation: Fusion requires temperatures above 100 million degrees Celsius, creating a plasma state where atoms split into charged particles. Magnetic Confinement: Plasma is confined using strong magnetic fields to prevent contact with reactor walls. Fusion Reaction: Hydrogen isotopes (Deuterium & Tritium) fuse, producing helium and energy in the form of heat. Energy Capture & Conversion: Future reactors aim to use this heat to generate steam, driving turbines to produce electricity.
• High Temperature & Plasma Formation: Fusion requires temperatures above 100 million degrees Celsius, creating a plasma state where atoms split into charged particles.
• Magnetic Confinement: Plasma is confined using strong magnetic fields to prevent contact with reactor walls.
• Fusion Reaction: Hydrogen isotopes (Deuterium & Tritium) fuse, producing helium and energy in the form of heat.
• Energy Capture & Conversion: Future reactors aim to use this heat to generate steam, driving turbines to produce electricity.
Major Nuclear Fusion Experiments Worldwide:
• China’s EAST Reactor (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak):
• Achievement: Sustained plasma for 1,000+ seconds, surpassing its 2023 record of 400+ seconds. Significance: A critical step toward building a full-scale fusion power plant. Location: Institute of Plasma Physics, Anhui Province, China.
• Achievement: Sustained plasma for 1,000+ seconds, surpassing its 2023 record of 400+ seconds.
• Significance: A critical step toward building a full-scale fusion power plant.
• Location: Institute of Plasma Physics, Anhui Province, China.
• ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, France):
• What is ITER? The world’s largest fusion experiment, involving 35 nations, including India, the US, China, and the EU. Location: Southern France. Key Features: 500 MW fusion power output planned by 2039. Uses Deuterium-Tritium fuel to replicate Sun-like conditions. Paves the way for commercial fusion power plants.
• What is ITER? The world’s largest fusion experiment, involving 35 nations, including India, the US, China, and the EU.
• The world’s largest fusion experiment, involving 35 nations, including India, the US, China, and the EU.
• Location: Southern France.
• Key Features: 500 MW fusion power output planned by 2039. Uses Deuterium-Tritium fuel to replicate Sun-like conditions. Paves the way for commercial fusion power plants.
• 500 MW fusion power output planned by 2039.
• Uses Deuterium-Tritium fuel to replicate Sun-like conditions.
• Paves the way for commercial fusion power plants.
Difference between Nuclear Fusion and Nuclear Fission:
Aspect | Nuclear Fusion | Nuclear Fission
Process | Combines atomic nuclei | Splits heavy atomic nuclei
Fuel Used | Hydrogen isotopes (Deuterium & Tritium) | Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239
Energy Output | Extremely high (1g of fuel = 8 tonnes of coal) | High but lower than fusion
Nuclear Waste | Minimal, no long-term radioactive waste | Produces hazardous radioactive waste
Safety | No risk of meltdown, self-regulating process | Risk of reactor meltdowns (e.g., Chernobyl, Fukushima)
Insta links:
• Nuclear-technology