Helium 3 breeding in fusion reactors

In summary, there are several fusion reactions that produce Helium 3 as ash, including D + D => T + p / He-3 + n, p + Li-6 => He-4 + He-3, and p + D => He-3 + photons. If we can create and maintain these fusion reactors, it may be possible to collect Helium 3 from the fusion tractor by separating it from the plasma and using techniques such as fractional distillation and centrifuging. However, there is a risk of He-3 fusing with remaining atoms, so running the ions through a mass spectrometer trap may be a better option for obtaining pure He-3 in small quantities.
  • #1
Sebastiaan
84
0
There are several fusion reaction which produce Helium 3 as ash

1) D + D => T + p / He-3 + n

2) p + Li-6 => He-4 + He-3

3) p + D => He-3 + photons

Assuming we can create and maintain these fusion reactors. Would it be possible to to collect the Helium3 from the fusion tractor. specifically can we separate them from the plasma somehow and maintain fusion?
 
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  • #2
Yeah. We constantly pump the chamber to maintain a near vacuum. Some fraction of the gas that is pumped out will be He-3. It won't be so easy to separate it from He-4, but perhaps it is possible with some kind of fractional distillation and centrifuging.
 
  • #3
But wouldn't that give the He-3 a lot of time to fuse with the remaining Atoms?
 
  • #4
He-3 needs high temperatures or energies to fuse. At 50keV, DD fusion will occur much more frequently than D-He3, so you will have plenty of He3 in the ash.
If you are interested in small quantities of pure He3, you can run the ions through some kind of mass spectrometer trap.
 

Related to Helium 3 breeding in fusion reactors

1. What is helium 3 and why is it important for fusion reactors?

Helium 3 is a rare isotope of helium that contains two protons and one neutron. It is important for fusion reactors because it is a highly efficient fuel for nuclear fusion reactions, producing large amounts of energy with minimal radioactive waste.

2. How is helium 3 bred in fusion reactors?

In fusion reactors, helium 3 is bred through the fusion of deuterium and tritium, two isotopes of hydrogen. This fusion process releases energy and produces helium 3 as a byproduct. Helium 3 can also be extracted from the moon's surface, which contains a small amount of this isotope.

3. What are the advantages of using helium 3 in fusion reactors?

One of the main advantages of using helium 3 in fusion reactors is that it produces very little radioactive waste, making it a much cleaner and safer option compared to other nuclear fuels. Additionally, helium 3 is abundant on the moon, which could potentially provide a nearly limitless supply for fusion reactions.

4. Are there any challenges associated with using helium 3 in fusion reactors?

One of the main challenges with using helium 3 in fusion reactors is its rarity on Earth. While it is abundant on the moon, it is currently not cost-effective to extract and transport it to Earth for use in fusion reactions. There are also technical challenges in achieving a sustained fusion reaction using helium 3.

5. What is the current progress on using helium 3 for fusion energy?

While there have been some experiments and research on using helium 3 in fusion reactors, it is still in the early stages of development. Many scientists believe that it will take several decades before helium 3 can be used as a viable fuel source for fusion energy production. However, with advancements in technology and continued research, it could potentially play a significant role in the future of clean and sustainable energy.

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