Which Are Some Problems Nuclear Fusion Could Solve?

Fusion reactors are theoretically more efficient and powerful than fission reactors, but as of now, commercially viable fusion energy is not feasible due to challenges in containing sun-like temperatures during fusion reactions. Despite these obstacles, research is ongoing, and many companies are working on making fusion energy a reality.

While fusion reactors hold promise, they are currently facing significant hurdles. For instance, the fusion that occurs in thermonuclear weapons releases temperatures comparable to those of the sun, which are extremely difficult to contain and harness. Although fusion reactions have been produced in hydrogen deuterium-tritium nuclear bombs, commercially viable nuclear fusion energy is yet to materialize. Achieving containment and harnessing of these high temperatures remains the primary challenge.

Challenges and Linkages

Fission reactors have been commercially viable mainly due to their linkages to nuclear weapons technology. The production of fission energy is closely tied to the development of nuclear weapons. While nuclear power reactors and military nuclear weapons share some technologies, this linkage has been somewhat overshadowed in civilian discourse. Fusion reactors, on the other hand, could function as a more economically viable alternative, which is promising because the production of nuclear weapons has decreased since the end of the Cold War in 1991.

Traditional Arguments Against Fission Reactors

The traditional arguments against fission reactors include concerns about the potential for nuclear weapons, radioactive waste, and accidents. However, many people are unaware that fusion reactors also face these challenges, albeit in different ways. While it is true that producing weapons-grade plutonium from fission reactors is more straightforward, the breeding modules of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) would provide an excellent neutron source for producing weapons-grade plutonium.

Energy and Radioactive Waste

The closest thing to a functional fusion power station is the Joint European Torus (JET), which has produced enormous quantities of nuclear waste relative to the tiny amount of energy released. The hopes for ITER to be different rest on discovering new lining materials, but no progress has been made in this regard. Additionally, the accident risk associated with fusion reactors is a significant concern. Unlike fission plants, most of the energy and radioactivity in a fusion reactor would not be contained within the fuel. A quench in a fusion reactor could release energy equivalent to that of the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan, and the radiation release could be much higher than the small amount of Tritium fuel.

Costs and Future Prospects

The budget for ITER is substantial and it is designed to generate no electricity. The follow-on project, PROTO or DEMO, will be even larger and some argue that it will be cheaper, but that remains to be seen. Historical trends suggest that as projects become larger, their costs tend to increase. Despite this, the prospect of fusion reactors becoming commercially viable is considered promising in the long term.

Conclusion

While the challenges associated with nuclear fusion are significant, the potential benefits make it an area of active research and development. It is clear that overcoming the technical and economic hurdles will require significant investment and innovation. As fusion research continues, it is hoped that these challenges will be addressed, making nuclear fusion a viable source of energy.