Fusion as Energy Provider
Fusion is the power source of the sun. In the sun, energy is released when heavier nuclei are formed through compression by gigantic heat and gravitational pressure. However, such pressure cannot be achieved by the Earthbound reactors, therefore, a temperature higher than the sun’s shall be generated to make up for this pressure deficiency. In this reaction, a small amount of mass is transformed into an enormous sum of energy. The most attracting point to develop this type of energy would be the abundant supply for fusion, deuterium and tritium, on the Earth; nevertheless, engineering community is facing the challenge of producing fusion energy to a commercial proportion in an efficient, economical, and environmental friendly way. Being a highly exothermic reaction, holding the fusion reactants together becomes a challenge to engineers. A project called International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is designed to achieve a higher power level with long pulse of energy on a larger scale. ITER uses magnetic confinement method to hold the fusion fuel, plasma, at its position for a longer period so that fusion can take place. However, there are some obstacles ahead for the reactors to work effectively: the need of material for the wall of the reactor that can hold the attacks from the products of the reaction, Helium and neutrons; the need of materials that can extract heat produced efficiently while prevent structural weakening caused by neutron, and materials that can overcome the radioactive products produced in the reactor; and lastly, to develop better superconducting magnet and vacuum system in the reactors. All these challenges must be met in order to construct a full-scale fusion reactor. Generally, fusion energy produces no risk as the reaction can be easily stopped. In conclusion, fusion’s success as energy provider is crucial as fusion fuels are abundant and it causes less environmental problems.
Source:
National Academy of Engineering. Grand Challenges for Engineering.
http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9079.aspx
2 comments:
hello wern fei! hanks for the comment you gave me and i will make changes in the summary. :)
you really did a good job in summarizing this article! ideas are concise and accurate. however, i feel some of your sentences are too long and draggy. i know you are trying to combine similar ideas into the same sentence but some are really long. but overall, well organised and good effort!
Hi Wern Fei!
It seems to me that you have spent a lot of time and energy to this exercise. This is the reason why your summary is organized well.I also think that you can make a shorter version for this summary.
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