Future

General summary of the thermonuclear reaction

Fusion presents series of advantages that are very important for electrical supply system industry nowadays. It ensures possibility of use particularly unlimited, widely available and not expensive fuel. Operation of fusion reactor does not cause any greenhouse effects. This will allow all electrical supply system industry to stop concerning about carbon dioxide emission and its limits. Moreover developed fusion power plants will be able to cover all increases in electricity demand due to possible economic growth. Radioactivity generated in the fusion reaction is relatively low. Material activation as a consequence of fusion chamber walls bombardment by high energy neutrons will cause some radioactivity but only short-term. There is no long lived wastes. Fusion reactors demonstrate today high level of safety because any malfunctioning leads to temperature decrease and to slow down the fusion until its complete stop. Similarly effect is also caused when fuel supply is stopped.

Although many advantages of fusion, there are several problems need to be solved. Keeping large amount of plasma in temperature above 100 MēC over long time period, achieving continuous plasma current of several millions amperes, materials with resistance to neutrons bombardment and ensuring high degree of reliability need serious R&D to find economically effective solutions.

Fuel components like deuterium, lithium and product of fusion helium are not radioactive. Its transport is easy and safe. Also beta radiation is not harmful because it is not able to penetrate reactor containment. But in the reactor lithium is used to tritium obtainment, and this element is radioactive. Although its half-life is only 12,6 years it is very harmful. It can get to human body very easily with breathing and touch. Tritium as a hydrogen isotopes, merges with water and makes it radioactive. Tritium remains dangerous for over 120 years, from creation. Additionally it is very difficult to contain as hydrogen, and easily "escapes" from the best containments. The real hopes are put to deuterium - deuterium fuel use to avoid tritium problem. [33], [60]

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