Addiction Science: non-neutron nuclear fusion

Unexpected because the fusion of the popular article, and many people have mentioned that in the steel shells of helium 3 - deuterium reaction and Minovsky Physics (uh…), so on specifically checked the data. Look at the difference between the existence of no scientific authenticity. Minovsky obvious particles (and extend from the I-Field, Mega particle) is entirely fictional, but the helium-3 - deuterium reaction is a very real existence of several known as non-neutron nuclear fusion (Aneutronic Fusion) as a response. Mentioned previously most likely to achieve the DT reaction and reaction product of DD neutrons have, which each have their own security concerns - DD (deuterium - deuterium) reaction will produce the material around the neutron bomb, so that the surrounding material of radiation, and the DT (deuterium - tritium) reaction it would have a neutron in addition, there is radiation of tritium. In contrast, the pursuit of non-neutron nuclear fusion is not only there is no radiation of raw materials, the reaction itself does not produce neutrons, become a totally clean nuclear fusion.

However, good things usually exists only on paper … deuterium - helium-3 reaction

D + ³ He - 4He + p

This is the previously mentioned deuterium + helium-3 - helium-4 + proton reactions. Positively charged protons, so will be limited to electromagnetic fields will not go around indiscriminately bombing materials, deuterium, helium 3 and helium-4 are non-radioactive material, it looks very clean. Unfortunately, because the deuterium - helium-3 reaction high temperature than the DD reaction, so as deuterium - helium-3 reaction of raw materials, deuterium will be conducted as part of its own integration, to release neutrons. This ratio can be controlled within a few percentage points, but it can not be completely eradicated, there is actually deuterium + helium-3 reactions are not entirely clean.

However, it is more than simply the end of the DD or DT reaction reaction to clean more, but also several additional advantages: First, it can react with protons produced by way of non-thermal power generation, energy conversion efficiency may reach 70% (to to promote the highest heat the steam engine of about 35%). Secondly it is also true of the energy to 100% under the energy conversion efficiency, 6g of helium-3 and corresponds to the amount of deuterium reaction, can generate about 1000 MW-h of energy. Finally, the reaction conditions it needs while several other higher than a lot of non-neutron nuclear fusion, but also in the development of magnetic and laser-based nuclear fusion reactor with the capacity, perhaps do not like p-11B reaction, as also to develop new technologies. So many people think that this is a good second-generation technology, in a truly non-neutron nuclear fusion pad before you file.

Helium-3 come from?

Source of helium-3 there are several. Earths natural helium-3 small, the earths crust does not contain the helium, while helium-3 is only about the total helium 1/500000 directly from the exploitation of the earth simply uneconomical. Also helium gas and helium-3 in which a relatively high percentage, but even if the storage of natural gas throughout the United States together, perhaps inside only 10 ~ 100kg, may supply a 1000 MW power plants in operation are not enough for one year (24hr x 365 days x 6g x 1.42 equivalent to about 75 kilograms). So you want to get helium-3 can only use man-made, or to find a source other than the Earth.

Artificial way to do this is to wait for the natural decay of tritium, or the use of neutron bombardment of lithium, boron, nitrogen and other elements. However, the first switch to helium-3, that is, in order to avoid the risk of the use of tritium, which is back around again Now, why this? Not to mention the source of tritium is not so rich. As for elements of high-energy neutron bombardment, in addition to the process itself will be a lot of energy absorbed, the neutron will be generated by the bombing of a pile of radioactive waste arising, so it seems that man-made this road is not very feasible.

Finally, you have to dig to the outer space. Moon is the first choice (!), Because the cumulative number of the lunar surface billions of years from the solar wind with the helium 3, for every high place there may be 100 tons in 15g (15 ppb), where the stock is less likely to only 3g. However, because the whole table every month, so there would be about the exploitation of the total stock of 2.5 million tons in the S P, enough people on earth used for a long time, long, long time. However, the current exploitation of the Moon is technically not practical - too expensive and too big a project. The possibility of more is to visit the large planets in the solar system - Jupiter, Saturn, such as mining, not only the content of higher exploitation easier. Helium-3 only to pull out from the gravity well to a lot of energy, not necessarily cost-effective.

Several non-neutron nuclear fusion reaction

In addition to deuterium - helium-3 reaction, there are many other non-neutron nuclear fusion reaction, but most have a wide range of difficulties. If a deuterium - helium-3 reaction as a springboard to obtain a stable source of helium-3, it 3He +3 He - 4He + 2p is a reasonable next step. The reaction of deuterium - helium-3 reaction of all the advantages without deuterium - helium-3 off the shortcomings of the neutron. Another possible reaction is a chain of two reactions, namely, p +6 Li - 4He + 3He and 3He + 6Li - 24He + p. Total consumption over the two reaction 6Li, produce 4He, but the calculation of scientists is to provide each other even if the two materials react to each other to reduce the reaction temperature needed to help is limited, so I am afraid that is.

Finally, there are two protons and heavier nuclei of the reaction p +7 Li - 2 4He and p +11 B - 3 4He. Two compared to the repulsive force which is relatively small, but the goal of the latter relatively large, relatively easy to hit by the proton, and finally the latter is relatively easy to(So is the first to write this). Only the relatively easy is relative, and DT than reaction, p-11B reaction required too much energy, light temperature is estimated that 6.6 billion will be degrees Celsius, or about ten times the DT reaction. Moreover, to generate the energy to count, p-11B reaction only DT 1 / 3, so the response can make a continuous basis, are bound to be a better mechanism for energy preservation, the existing restrictions and magnetic compression laser-fusion will too much energy to heat and disperse the form of high-energy rays, there is insufficient response to p-11B. To achieve completely clean nuclear fusion is difficult to really ah!

Conclusion

Once again, the seemingly mad science behind the cartoon, in fact, is behind its authenticity. Perhaps this is the place fascinating sci-fi it! Non-neutron nuclear fusion nuclear fusion and ordinary compared to the more distant future, the need for more new technology and a large amount of capital support. However, nuclear fusion and the general, this is bound to be human one day forward. Mining the moon on the ground to the economy, we will have to build a series of space elevators, space station, short-range cargo transport spacecraft, lunar mining base, in the end, people will always live in the moon base. If you simply to move forward in space and plans to the moon base, then the final is likely to be the same as the Apollo program ended because of lack of funds, but if they are to the energy future of mankind, and that it probably will be a success XD.

I look forward to the day of the lunar base to play …