View Single Post
red-beard red-beard is online now
canna change law physics
 
red-beard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Houston, Tejas
Posts: 43,428
Garage
Goran, that has been the promise of Fusion for 75 years. The promise. We still haven't figured it out.

As one of my Nuke engineering professors said to our class.

"What is the size of a critical mass of unranium or plutonium?"

He hold his hands like he's holding a ball

"About the size of a large grapefruit."

"How big is critical mass for a fusion reaction?"

He pointed out the window, to the setting sun.

I am not saying it can't be done. But a fusion reactor is going to be a seriously expensive and complicated beast. Fission reactors are pretty darn simple by comparison. And Fission reactors are serious expensive and complicated compared to any fossil plant! The reason the economics "work" is that the fuel is cheap.
__________________
James
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the engineer adjusts the sails.- William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)
Red-beard for President, 2020

Last edited by red-beard; 12-12-2008 at 06:53 AM..
Old 12-12-2008, 06:51 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #54 (permalink)