Fusion Power - A Risky Gamble? (2)
Fusion Power - A Risky Gamble?
Part Two:
In this part, we'll explore the difference between Fission and Fusion power, including each of their traits, the pros and cons between them, and the modern applications + my speculations for the future
To break it down simply:
Fission: separate | Fusion: combine
Fission:
Currently, nuclear fission is already being used. They are commonly known as "Nuclear Power Plants" or "Nuclear Reactors."
During the process of fission, a neutron is used and slams into a larger atom, forcing it to split into two atoms, generating tremendous amounts of heat energy. The energy heats up the surrounding water of the reactor, which then vaporizes into steam. The steam rises and spins a turbine to produce electricity.
Typically, small pellets of uranium are packed into metal tubes known as fuel rods. These rods are then stacked together to make the 'core' where the nuclear fission takes place.
Fusion:
...a technology that is still being studied currently.
As described above, fusion is the opposite of fission. The process consists of two lighter atoms slamming together and merging into a larger atom. An example of this is two hydrogen atoms merging into one heavier helium. This is the exact process which occurs in the sun; hence being difficult to sustain for long periods of time without the temperature/pressure overloading.
The one point that Fusion power appeals to most scientists these days is its ability to provide several times more energy than that of Fission power - that of which already yields millions of times more energy than other sources.
Fission is viable as of now. Fusion is not.
The Future?
A team in MIT has started a project SPARC. They claim to be able to provide a working and reliable model of a fusion reactor by 2025. There are multiple speculations as to whether this would truly work or not, mainly due to many previous groups overspending and running dry of money.
Keep up with SPARC at https://www.psfc.mit.edu/sparc
Currently, nuclear fission is already being used. They are commonly known as "Nuclear Power Plants" or "Nuclear Reactors."
During the process of fission, a neutron is used and slams into a larger atom, forcing it to split into two atoms, generating tremendous amounts of heat energy. The energy heats up the surrounding water of the reactor, which then vaporizes into steam. The steam rises and spins a turbine to produce electricity.
Typically, small pellets of uranium are packed into metal tubes known as fuel rods. These rods are then stacked together to make the 'core' where the nuclear fission takes place.
Fusion:
...a technology that is still being studied currently.
As described above, fusion is the opposite of fission. The process consists of two lighter atoms slamming together and merging into a larger atom. An example of this is two hydrogen atoms merging into one heavier helium. This is the exact process which occurs in the sun; hence being difficult to sustain for long periods of time without the temperature/pressure overloading.
The one point that Fusion power appeals to most scientists these days is its ability to provide several times more energy than that of Fission power - that of which already yields millions of times more energy than other sources.
Fission is viable as of now. Fusion is not.
The Future?
A team in MIT has started a project SPARC. They claim to be able to provide a working and reliable model of a fusion reactor by 2025. There are multiple speculations as to whether this would truly work or not, mainly due to many previous groups overspending and running dry of money.
Keep up with SPARC at https://www.psfc.mit.edu/sparc
Insightful !
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