Energy Sources & Conversion
An Overview of Energy Conversion Processes
The processes which convert energy into useful forms have limited thermodynamic efficiencies, typically only 10-40%. This means that typically 60-90% of the input energy becomes waste energy. Often significant waste materials are also produced.
Energy-Releasing Reactions
Chemical | Fission | Fusion | |
---|---|---|---|
Sample Reaction | C + O2 -> CO2 | n + U-235 -> Ba-143 + Kr-91 + 2 n | H-2 + H-3 -> He-4 + n |
Typical Inputs (to Power Plant) | Bituminous Coal | UO2 (3% U-235 + 97% U-238) | Deuterium & Lithium |
Typical Reaction Temperature (K) | 700 | 1000 | 108 |
Energy Released per kg of Fuel (J/kg) | 3.3 x 107 | 2.1 x 1012 | 3.4 x 1014 |
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