Why is the deuterium-tritium reaction the most promising nuclear fusion reaction?

Why is the deuterium-tritium reaction the most promising nuclear fusion reaction?

The deuterium-tritium or D-T reaction is the most promising because of the forces between nuclear particles. The powerful mutual electrostatic repulsion of protons means that of all the elements, hydrogen nuclei offer the least repulsion and thereby require the lowest energy to get the reaction going.

What factors make a fusion reaction difficult to achieve?

The simple answer is that it has been particularly difficult to obtain high enough plasma densities , temperatures , and energy confinement times simultaneously for a reactor to approach ignition conditions.

Which reaction is more favorable for fusion process?

1 Introduction to thermonuclear fusion. The fusion reaction that requires the lowest energy and, hence, the most readily attainable fusion process on Earth, is the combination of a deuterium nucleus with one of tritium (isotopes of hydrogen) (Fig. 25.1).

Why does fusion use deuterium and tritium?

When deuterium and tritium fuse, they create a helium nucleus, which has two protons and two neutrons. The reaction releases an energetic neutron. Fusion power plants would convert energy released from fusion reactions into electricity to power our homes, businesses, and other needs. Fortunately, deuterium is common.

Why is tritium used for fusion?

Tritium (also called hydrogen -3) is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen , and has one proton and two neutrons. It can be produced using lithium to absorb the energetic neutrons created in both fission and fusion reactors.

Why is it easier to fuse deuterium and tritium?

The neutron bombardment of the fuel produces tritium from the lithium, and the primary fusion burning is tritium with deuterium since the tritium fuses readily with deuterium. This is a much more energetic reaction than two deuterium fusing, which will also occur.

What does deuterium and tritium make?

When deuterium and tritium fuse, they create a helium nucleus, which has two protons and two neutrons. The reaction releases an energetic neutron. About 1 out of every 5,000 hydrogen atoms in seawater is in the form of deuterium.

What is tritium nucleus?

Tritium (abbreviated as 3H) is a hydrogen atom that has two neutrons in the nucleus and one proton. Tritium is produced naturally in the upper atmosphere when cosmic rays strike nitrogen molecules in the air. Tritium is also produced during nuclear weapons explosions, and as a byproduct in nuclear reactors.

How is tritium produced in nuclear fusion?

A second source of tritium fortunately exists: tritium can be produced within the tokamak when neutrons escaping the plasma interact with a specific element—lithium—contained in the blanket. This concept of ‘breeding’ tritium during the fusion reaction is an important one for the future needs of a large-scale fusion power plant.

What is the most important application of tritium?

The most important application of tritium is its use as a nuclear fuel for obtaining energy through nuclear fusion. It is usually designated by the symbol T, although systematically it should be symbolized as 3 H.

How much tritium is needed to generate 800 MW of power?

But for DEMO, the next step on the way to commercial fusion power, about 300g of tritium will be required per day to produce 800 MW of electrical power. No sufficient external source of tritium exists for fusion energy development beyond ITER, making the successful development of tritium breeding is essential for the future of fusion energy.

What are the tritium breeding concepts being tested at ITER?

Six different tritium breeding concepts—the Test Blanket Modules—will be tested in dedicated ”ports” in the vacuum vessel. The successful development of tritium breeding is essential for the future of fusion energy. Tritium and deuterium are two isotopes of hydrogen that will be used to fuel the fusion reaction in ITER.