Non-renewable energy

1991/11/01 Irazabalbeitia, Inaki - kimikaria eta zientzia-dibulgatzaileaElhuyar Fundazioa Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Energia

In this section of non-renewable energies we have fossil energies and nuclear energy. We will talk about them and not far away, because on the one hand the fossil energies are quite known, and on the other hand, the bet for nuclear energy, especially for fission, because I do not see it correct and adequate. We will only expose nuclear fusion energy, which can meet the same characteristics as indicated in the aforementioned energy planning scheme.

Fusion nuclear power

If the basis of nuclear fission is the rupture of atoms, the fusion consists of the union of small larger atoms. In this process of joining the atoms the energy input is released. The energy of the stars of our universe comes from nuclear fusion processes.

Four theoretical options are possible when considering nuclear fusion:

The third of these energy obtaining reactions is observed more appropriately. In fact, of the energy produced in this reaction, 3.5 MeV are used to maintain the reaction and the other part of 14.1 MeV provides recoverable energy in the form of heat. Therefore, if the reaction starts, the reaction only flows. However, it is very difficult to start the reaction. To be able to fuse the atoms their nuclei must be very close and being charged electrically alter each other. It is about overcoming the internuclear Coulomb force. Gravitational energy in the Sun is what it does. On the ground, on the contrary, it cannot be done, only it can be achieved by heating.

In nuclear fusion bombs, that is, in hydrogen bombs, the large amount of heat needed to initiate the fusion reaction is obtained by the explosion of a conventional atomic bomb. The key is to give this controlled heat. It has not yet been achieved and current schemes propose to store the fuel as plasma in a magnetic room (configuration called Tokamas). The first problem is to heat the plasma (it takes 80 million degrees) and then keep the heat for long enough to start the reaction. In that way they are being investigated.

That is a hot road.

Several researchers argue that the cold road to overcome coulombian strength is also possible. According to them, fusion nuclear power can be performed at room temperature or at more normal temperatures. Fischmann and Pons promulgated in 1989 the controlled fusion in an electrolytic barrel. There was a big stir, but it has not been proven. Scientists are very skeptical of this procedure.

Although fusion promoters proclaim that fusion nuclear power is clean, it does not exist. It is much cleaner than fission, that is, it generates less radioactivity problems, it is true, but the problem of radioactive waste is there. On the one hand, the tritium proposed as fuel is a emitter of~ with an average life of 12.3 years. On the other hand, the resulting neutrons induce nuclear reactions in the materials. This is one of the problems of the current fission plants. That is, the materials that constitute the structure of the plant become radioactive due to the effect of the neutrons produced in the reaction.