Nuclear Fusion for electricty, boils water and moves a turbine? Or how it works?

AI Thread Summary
Nuclear fusion power plants could potentially operate similarly to fission reactors by producing heat to boil water and drive turbines for electricity generation. However, alternative methods such as plasma expansion against magnetic fields or direct conversion processes may also be employed to generate electricity. The discussion highlights the importance of plasma physics and nuclear engineering for those interested in pursuing careers related to fusion technology. There are concerns about the viability of projects like ITER, with skepticism regarding their potential for commercial success. Overall, while fusion holds promise, its practical implementation remains uncertain.
AlexES16
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Hello. I know that most fission reactors boils water to move a turbine like this one.



Is the same for a future nuclear fusion power plant, produce heat and boil water?

Some light about this please.
 
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If fusion is strictly used to produce thermal energy, which after all is kinetic energy of matter, then yes a working fluid could be used to drive a turbine which would turn a generator to produce electricity.

Otherwise, one would employ either expansion of the plasma against the confining magnetic field, or use some direct conversion process in which the nuclei and electrons are separated in a magnetic field and basically sent to separate collectors. The electrons then form an electric (DC) current which is passed through the load.
 
Astronuc said:
If fusion is strictly used to produce thermal energy, which after all is kinetic energy of matter, then yes a working fluid could be used to drive a turbine which would turn a generator to produce electricity.

Otherwise, one would employ either expansion of the plasma against the confining magnetic field, or use some direct conversion process in which the nuclei and electrons are separated in a magnetic field and basically sent to separate collectors. The electrons then form an electric (DC) current which is passed through the load.

Astronuc thanks for the answer bro, do you know what career is more close to study this questions if there is no nuclear engineering in my country?. Be the way i hope ITER to be a success, altough some scientist say its technologically impossible and non-viable.
 
AlexES16 said:
Astronuc thanks for the answer bro, do you know what career is more close to study this questions if there is no nuclear engineering in my country?. Be the way i hope ITER to be a success, altough some scientist say its technologically impossible and non-viable.
One would have to specialize in plasma physics and nuclear engineering, or perhaps electrical engineering.

I would like to see ITER be successful, but 1) I don't know if they will be at this point, and 2) it's not clear to me that even if they are successful that that will lead to a commercially viable system.
 
Astronuc said:
One would have to specialize in plasma physics and nuclear engineering, or perhaps electrical engineering.

I would like to see ITER be successful, but 1) I don't know if they will be at this point, and 2) it's not clear to me that even if they are successful that that will lead to a commercially viable system.

EE sounds very viable. Well Fission reactors can be made more safe, and you see countries like sweden or france that have like 78% of its electricity generated by fission.

But i think that is out of topic and i don't want to get more infractions here
cya bro
 
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