Helium-3 Fusion

Matt Treske3/19/2012

Why is it important to look into nuclear fusion?

- From 1980 to 2007, total world energy demand grew by 66%

- By 2030 it is projected to grow another 40% (1.5%/yr)

- Over 70% of demand by developing countries – Mainly China and India

- From 1980 to 2007, total world energy demand grew by 66%

- By 2030 it is projected to grow another 40% (1.5%/yr)

- Over 70% of demand by developing countries – Mainly China and India

Why is it important to look into nuclear fusion?

Breakdown of Sources

Potential Solutions

- Renewable Energy- More responsible use of fossil fuels- Nuclear Energy

Public Concerns about Nuclear Energy

Radioactive releases

Radioactive reaction products

Proliferation of weapons-grade material

Can these fears be alleviated?

What is Nuclear Fusion?

Process by which two or more atomic nuclei are joined together to form a single, heavier nucleusFusion of nuclei with masses lower than iron will generally release energy

Nuclear Binding Energy Curve

Binding Energy

The difference between the mass of an atom and the sum of the masses of its protons, neutrons, and electrons is called the mass defect.

The binding energy of a nuclide can be calculated from its mass defect with Einstein's equation that relates mass and energy.

The mass defect of an atom reflects the stability of the nucleus. It is equal to the energy released when the nucleus is formed from its protons and neutrons. The mass defect is therefore also known as the binding energy of the nucleus.

Binding Energy Example: Helium Atom

Masses of Subatomic Particles

Proton = 1.0072765 amuNeutron = 1.0086650 amuElectron = 0.005486 amu

Predicated Mass of Helium

2 (protons) * 1.0072765 amu = 2.0145530 amu2 (neutrons) * 1.0086650 amu = 2.017330 amu2 (electrons) * 0.005486 amu = 0.0010972 amu Total Predicted Mass = 4.0329802 amu

Predicted Mass = 4.0329802 amuObserved Mass = 4.0026033 amuMass Deficit = 0.0303769 amu

2 (protons) * 1.0072765 amu = 2.0145530 amu2 (neutrons) * 1.0086650 amu = 2.017330 amu2 (electrons) * 0.005486 amu = 0.0010972 amu Total Predicted Mass = 4.0329802 amu

Binding Energy Example: Helium Atom

Mass Deficit = 0.0303769 amu = 5.04428E-29

E = mc2 = (5.04428E-29 ) * ( 2.9979246E8 )2 = 4.53358E-12

E = 4.53358E-12 = 28.3 = 2.730E12 atom

Joule

atom

MeV

mole

Joule

atom

Joule

sec

meters

atom

kg

atom

kg

Binding Energy in 1 kg of Helium atom

kg

JouleE

atom

JouleE

atom

eVE

mol

atomE

molgg

E 1419723 821.6602.183.2022.60026.4

1000

Binding Energy Example: Helium Atom

Energy Density Comparison

Binding Energy of Helium = 6.821E14

Energy released by 235U fission = 1.921E12

Energy released from burning of gasoline = 4.72E7

Energy released from burning of coal = 3.1E7

kg

Joule

kg

Joule

kg

Joule

kg

Joule

28.3 atom

MeV

How to perform fusion

Need to force two nucleons to combine and create a new nuclei

- Process known as Nucleosynthesis

Takes immense energy to force nuclei to fuse – the positive charges of nuclei repel one another

At thermonuclear temperatures, they can overcome electrostatic repulsion and get close enough for the attractive nuclear force to achieve fusion

Result is an exothermic process with a very high energy barrier

Temperatures Necessary for Fusion

Deuterium-Deuterium fusion: 40E7 KDeuterium-Tritium fusion: 4.5E7 KInterior of the Sun: 1.5E7 K

Reactor Types

How do we reproduce those conditions here on earth?

Magnetic Confinement - Tokamaks

Laser Inertial Confinement

Inertial Electrostatic Confinement

Tokamak – Magnetic Confinement

Confines plasma (ions and electrons) in the shape of a torus with magnetic fields

Initial temperatures achieved through ohmic heating (resistive)

Most mature method

ITER – International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor

Experimental tokamak reactor intended to produce 500 MW electricity (50 MW input) for 50 minutes.

Located in Cadarache, France

First plasma expected ~2019

Funded by:- EU - India- Russia- China- South Korea- Japan- United States

Inertial Electrostatic Confinement

Accelerates fusion material radially inward by applying a voltage difference between the grids

Very simple design

Can accelerate ions to high voltages with relative ease making it preferable for higher energy barrier reactions

Has yet to produce anywhere near a breakeven point

Fusion Materials

Deuterium (2H or 2D) - One proton and one neutron- Stable isotope- Abundant– 2D obtained from heavy and semi-heavy seawater

Tritium (3H or 3T)- One proton and two neutrons- Radioactive isotope (12yr half-life)- Rare on earth – US has about 75kg (2005)

Helium-3 (3He)- Two protons and one neutrons- Stable isotope- Extremely rare on earth

Fusion Reactions – 3 Eras

1st Generation: D-T Fusion

2D

3T

n + 14.1MeV

4He + 3.52MeV

2D

3He4He + 3.67MeV

p + 14.68MeV

2nd Generation: D-3He Fusion

Fusion Reactions – 3 Eras

3He

3He

4He

2 protons

Total 12.9MeV

3rd Generation: 3He-3He Fusion

Fusion Reactions – 3 Eras

Nuclear Energy Conversion Efficiencies

From NEEP533 Lecture 25 Fall 2001

Advantages/Disadvantages of First Generation Reaction

High energy neutrons can damage reactor walls and create radioactive material

High number of neutrons created

Relatively low electrical efficiency

Can be run at lower temperatures

Deuterium is common2D

3T

n + 14.1MeV

4He + 3.52MeV

Requires Helium-3

Higher operating temperature

Side reactions create radioactive waste

High electrical efficiencies (70%)

Low radiological hazard and nuclear waste 2D

3He4He + 3.67MeV

p + 14.68MeV

Advantages/Disadvantages of Second Generation Reaction

Requires Helium-3

Very high operating temperature

High electrical efficiencies (70%)

No radiological hazard or nuclear waste

3He

3He

4He

2 protons

Total 12.9MeV

Advantages/Disadvantages of Third Generation Reaction

Research at UW-Madison

Fusion Technology Institute - Two reactors in the lower floor of ERB- IEC helium-3 fusion research- First identified the existence of large amounts of obtainable

3He fusion fuel

Where is Helium-3 Found?

Helium-3 is a non-radioactive isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron

- Primordial nuclide that escapes earth’s crust in extremely low concentration

- Product of Tritium decay (12yr half-life) • If you knew how much 3He someone had, you knew how

much tritium and how many nuclear weapons they had• Remnants of nuclear weapons testing of the 1960s

γ-ray

3He

Video: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/37961-sci-trek-helium-3-fusion-video.htm

Lunar Surface

Regolith • Loose layer material covering the moon’s surface• Result of billions of years of meteoroid impacts• Estimated 4-5m thick in mare area (10-15m in

highland)

Concentration of helium-3

~ 10 ppb as opposed to earth (5ppt)

There is 10 times more energy in the Helium-3 on the moon than in all the economically recoverable coal, oil, and natural gas on earth.

Can we mine it?

40 tonnes of 3He would have provided all of the electricity consumed in the US in 2000. Kulcinski 2004

Based on existing energy consumption, about 100 tonnes of helium 3 could potentially power the Earth for a year. Discovery 2009

UW-Madison ideas for harvesting lunar 3He

Helium-3 evolves from regolith at around ~700°C

Mark II miner

Applications of volatile by-products from lunar mining

Fuel Cells – H2 and O2

Life Support – N2 O2 H2O and CO2

Propulsion – H2 O2 and 4He

The United States

Manned space program ended by current administration• Had intention of astronauts back to the moon by 2020• New focus on unmanned space programs

“Manned space flight is a spectator sport, having about the same relation to science that intercollegiate football has to education.” Steven Weinberg, 2010 [Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979]

”I believe we can send humans to orbit Mars and return them safely to Earth.  In order to do that we’re actually going to need some technological breakthroughs that we don’t have yet.”  Barack Obama, 2010

“We are planning to build a permanent base on the moon by 2015 and 2020 we can being industrial-scale delivery… of the rare isotope helium-3”

- Nikolai Sevasyanov, 2006 [head Energia space corporation]

“China will make a manned moon landing around 2017. We will provide the most reliable report on 3He to mankind”

-Ouyang Ziyuan, 2005 [head Chinese Lunar Exploration Program]"Helium-3 can be used in fusion reactors to meet the energy needs of the world in future. India will definitely have a claim over Helium-3 by virtue of Chandrayaan-1 mission“

- Prof G Yellaih, 2008 [Senior astronomer]

Future of Nuclear Fusion

Develop fusion technology to become net positive in energy return

- Eliminate one of the greatest barriers to public acceptance of nuclear power—the concern for radioactive waste, release, and proliferation of weapons grade material

- Space propulsion

- Hydrogen production

50 year comparison (well, 60)

Questions?

Fusion material properties: Allen Jiang, Allen_-_Moon_Fueled_Nuclear_Fusion.pptxPhD Student | King’s College London | Robotics

Tritium Material Properties: http://www.ead.anl.gov/pub/doc/tritium.pdf Argonne National Laboratory, EVS

China Helium-3: http://inventorspot.com/articles/chinas_upcoming_moon_mission_seek_out_helium3_fusion_fuel China.new

USA Helium-3: http://news.discovery.com/space/return-to-moon-plan-scrapped.htmlDiscoveryNews

India Helium-3: http://syedakbarindia.blogspot.com/2008/10/chandrayaan-1-india-joins-helium-3-race.htmlSyed Akbar Journalist

Design of a Lunar Volatiles Miner: http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep533/SPRING2004/lecture14.pdfUW FTI – NEEP 533 Lecture 14 Spring 2004

Fusion Fuel Cycles: http://www.visionofearth.org/industry/fusion/fusion-fuel-cycles-what-they-are-and-how-they-work/Ben Harack, Vision of Earth

Significance of Helium-3 Fusion: http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep533/SPRING2004/lecture26.pdfUW FTI – NEEP 533 Lecture 26 Spring 2004

Fly Me to the Moon: http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/44253Timothy Birdnow, Canada Free Press

Harvesting Helium-3 From the Moon: http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-031306-122626/unrestricted/IQP.pdf Nikolaos K. Kazantzis, WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

Race to the Moon for Nuclear Fuel: http://www.wired.com/science/space/news/2006/12/72276?currentPage=allJohn Lasker, Wired

Helium-3 Fusion: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/nuclear-engineering/22-012-seminar-fusion-and-plasma-physics-spring-2006/assignments/helium3_fusion.pdf

Danny Zaterman

Sources

Net Energy Production Image http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Annual_electricity_net_generation_in_the_world.svg/800px-Annual_electricity_net_generation_in_the_world.svg.pngOECD member states: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:OECD_member_states_map.svgWorld Energy Consumption by region: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf16.htmlEnergy Sources Pie Chart: http://reich-chemistry.wikispaces.com/file/view/pie_chart.jpg/146913507/pie_chart.jpgBinding Energy Chart: http://www.mpoweruk.com/images/binding_energy.gifNuclear and Wind Intro Image: http://www.freewebs.com/renewableandnuclear/Nuclear%20Wind%20Sunset%20copy.jpgFusion Basic Cartoon Image: http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/06/28/DT_reaction.JPGHelium Atom Gold Image: http://continentalgas.com/images/Helium-atom2.gifTokamak Cartoon: http://new.math.uiuc.edu/math198/MA198-2009/farrell1/pix/tokamak_en.gifInside Tokamak: http://www.pppl.gov/projects/pics/tftr_vv_lg.jpgITER reactor: http://iter.rma.ac.be/images/Iter.jpgSimple IEC: http://iec.neep.wisc.edu/images/inerti1.gifGlow Mode IEC: http://iec.neep.wisc.edu/images/glow-mode.jpgRisk board game: http://collider.com/wp-content/image-base/Movies/R/Risk/slice_risk_board_game_01.jpgRisk 2210: http://strategytheatre.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/risk_2210_game_board_01.jpg?w=600&h=450 Solar System: http://chandra.harvard.edu/graphics/resources/illustrations/solsys/solar_system_ill.jpgRadioactive Barrel: http://murrayashmole.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/radioactive.jpgEarth-Moon: http://community.greencupboards.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Earth-and-Moon-.jpegBlue map background: http://www.presentationmagazine.com/Backgrounds/business2.pngHalf Sun Image: http://cdn4.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/nasa-sun-spring-eclipse.jpgGrey ITER reactor: http://www.apam.columbia.edu/courses/apph4990y_ITER/ITER-CrossSection.gifFuture ITER facilities: http://www.oeaw.ac.at/euratom/Bilder/Future_ITER_buildings_and_facilities.jpgLunar surface w/ earth in background: http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/04images/Moon7/Full_Moon/ISD_highres_AS11_AS11-44-6552Small.pngAstronauts Lounging: http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep533/SPRING2004/lecture14.pdfLunar Hoist: http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep533/SPRING2004/lecture14.pdfLarge red miner: http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep533/SPRING2004/lecture14.pdfAstronauts at Crater: http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep533/SPRING2004/lecture14.pdfMark II Miner: http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep533/SPRING2004/lecture14.pdfBusy Mining: http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep533/SPRING2004/lecture14.pdfSR-71: http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/sr-71-ec95-42883-4.jpgWright Brother’s First Flight: http://0.tqn.com/d/inventors/1/0/V/7/1/WB1911Glider.jpgEarth/moon background: http://www.desktopwallpaperhd.com/wallpapers/29/38428.jpgInner Fusion: http://images.psxextreme.com/wallpapers/ps3/inner_fusion_1150.jpgTokamak thumbnail: http://www.icjt.org/an/tech/razstava/zgrazstava/slike/f4tokamak.jpgEHall statue: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/37016427.jpgMan on moon: http://www.forge22.com/wallpaper/standard/space/Apollo%2011%20astronaut%201600x1200.jpgCrescent Moon:http://www.air-and-space.com/Moon/20061017%20waning%20crescent%20Moon%20l.jpgMoon movie image: http://www.marty.com.au/images/stories/scifi/moon-science-fiction-movie-poster-artwork-sam-rockwell.jpg

Image Sources