Nuclear fusion is the future according to some, but comes with many challenges that have not yet been solved, both practically and economically, which many believe will prevent fusion from becoming a viable energy source. Whatever your stance, it is still an interesting technology and one that many are researching to prove its viability. In this infographic we look at how nuclear fusion works, the benefits of nuclear fusion, and recent developments in fusion technology (including the ST40 Tokamak).Do you work in the energy and power sector? Check out our latest jobs: www.nesgt.com/jobs/power

1. HOW A FUSION REACTOR WORKS
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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
FISSION AND FUSION REACTIONS
THE FUTURE IS FUSION
FUSION
Scientists are currently working towards
combining nuclei to form one heavier atom,
releasing energy in the process (four times
as much as nuclear fission)
The joining of things together
FISSION
Existing nuclear power is generating power
by splitting heavier atoms into lighter atoms.
The splitting of things
To achieve nuclear fission, two types of hydrogen
(deuterium and tritium) are heated to over
100 million degrees Celsius to form plasma.
This plasma then becomes helium and
high-speed atoms under the immense heat,
releasing a lot of energy in the process.
There are two main types, magnetic
and inertial confinement:
Magnetic confinement: Uses magnetic field
to squeeze the plasma in a doughnut shaped
chamber. Here the reactions take place.
An example would be ITER in France.
Inertial confinement: Uses pulses from lasers
to heat a pellet of fuel, which implodes and makes
it hot enough to fuse. An example would be the
National Ignition Facility in the US.
CLEAN
Energy with no pollution,
no carbon dioxide,
and minimal nuclear waste
(unlike nuclear fission).
ABUNDANT FUEL
Deuterium is distilled from water
and tritium can be produced during
the fusion reaction itself through contact
with lithium, which we have an abundance
of in the earth and the sea.
GEOPOLITICAL
The fuel to create nuclear fusion is available
to all, which could mean monopolies are less
likely to occur and therefore a reduction in conflict
centred on energy resources.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
SAFETY
Large meltdowns seen in fission nuclear reactors
like Chernobyl are impossible due to the tiny
amount of fuel used and the temperamental
nature of the plasma. Even if the plasma is disturbed
for a couple of seconds, the reaction comes to a halt.
ST40 reactor: The UK’s newest fusion
reactor, the ST40 built by Tokamak Energy, has
already achieved first plasma and is on track to
produce plasma at 100 million degrees celcius by
2018, the temperature at which fusion can occur to
unleash limitless energy.
If successful, the ST40 will show that these
temperatures can be achieved in a compact and
cost-effective reactor.
500MW
ITER: As many believe that fusion plants
become more stable with increased scale, the
largest fusion project involving the EU, USA, India,
China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia is currently
under construction in the south of France.
ITER, which stands for International
Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
and also Latin for ‘the way’, is an €18bn project
that is scheduled to make its first plasma in 2025
with maximum output at 2035.
Compared to the current 16MW output power and
24MW input power record of JET, ITER will aim to
produce 500MW of output power from 50MW of
input power, ten times the amount put in.
https://www.iter.org/
http://www.power-technology.com/features/featureiter-will-the-
worlds-biggest-fusion-project-change-the-future-of-energy-5014242/
http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/How_fusion_works.aspx
https://www.theengineer.co.uk/the-future-of-fusion/
http://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/uk-takes-giant-leap
-forward-fusion-power-thanks-tokamak-reactor/
This energy is then converted to
heat to drive turbines through the
use of steam.
2025 18BN