chaptr-14 fusion reactor.pptVIP

Chapter 14 Fusion Reactors（聚变堆） A device that permits the controlled release of fusion energy is designated as a fusion reactor, in contrast with one yielding fission energy, the fission reactor. As discussed in Chapter 7, the potentially available energy from the fusion process is enormous. The possibility of achieving controlled thermonuclear (热核) power on a practical basis has not yet been demonstrated (示范), but progress in recent years gives encouragement that fusion reactors can be in operation early in the twenty-first century. 接上页 In this chapter we shall review the choices of nuclear reaction, study the requirements for feasibility (可行性) and practicality (实用性), and describe the physical features of machines that have been tested. 14.1 COMPARISON OF FUSION REACTIONS (聚变反应的比较) The main nuclear reactions that combine light isotopes to release energy, as described in Section 7.1, are the D-D, D-T, and D-3He. There are advantages and disadvantages of each. The reaction involving only deuterium uses an abundant natural fuel, available from water by isotope separation. P149 The D-T reaction yields a helium ion and a neutron with energies as indicated: The cross section is large and the energy yield is favorable. The ideal ignition temperature for the D-T reaction is only 4.4 keV in contrast with 48 keV for the D-D reaction, making the achievement of practical fusion far easier. One drawback (缺点), however, is that the artificial isotope tritium is required. P150 末段 The fact that the D-T reaction gives a neutron as a byproduct is a disadvantage in the operation of a fusion machine. Wall materials are readily damaged by bombardment by 14.1 MeV neutrons, requiring their frequent replacement (替换). Also, materials of construction become radioactive as the result of neutron capture. These are engineering and operating difficulties while the achievement of the high enough energy to use neutron-free reactions would be a major scientific challenge (挑战). 14.2 REQUI