Page 21 - Biofuels Refining and Performance

4 Chapter One

1. Fusion of thermonuclear devices (an application of plasma
physics):
2 2 3 2 3 4
1 D 1 D → 2 He n 3.2 Mev 1 D 1 T → 2 He n 17.6 Mev
2 2 3 1 6 4 3
1 D 1 D → 1 T 1 H 4.0 Mev 3 Li n → 2 He 1 T 4.8 Mev
2 3 4 2 6 4
1 D 1 T → 2 He n 17.6 Mev 1 D 3 Li → 2 2 He 22.4 Mev
2 3 3 4 4 1
1 D 2 He → 2 He 1 H 18.3 Mev
2 4 1
6 1 D → 2 2 He 2 1 H 2n 43.1 Mev

Several designs and modifications are suggested:

2P → e D D P → T 2T → He 2P
The fusion reaction, omnipresent in the sun, needs to be tried out:
1 2
2H → e H
where two protons fuse, and deuterium, positron, and neutrino are
evolved; energy is evolved in two steps; four protons are annihi-
lated for each helium formed. Much of the reaction mechanism is
yet unknown, but the model shows great promise.
2. Geothermal source: Other than volcanic or geyser origin at an
8000-ft depth of the earth’s crust, it is possible to obtain geother-
mal steam at 2000 C, which can be used for producing electricity.
Hot dry rock (HDR) remains out of reach at present capability of
drilling. But “heat mining,” as estimated by Los Alamos Scientific
Laboratory, promises 1.2 cents/MJ compared to 2 cents/MJ from an
oil-fired thermal plant ($34/bbl).
3. Aerodynamic generations: Several models are available. Low-
velocity windmills are also being used. Wind is stronger at upper
atmosphere; array of floating windmills are also designed.
4. Hydrodynamics: High hopes are created by some hydroelectric
firms, who proclaim that power can be effectively generated by
ocean waves and ocean currents.
5. Magnetohydrodynamic generators: High-temperature com-
bustion gas expands through a nozzle where ionized sodium is intro-
duced and directed to a magnetic field and a moving conductor cuts
the field, and an electromagnetic field (EMF) is produced.
6. Oil shale and oil sand: Though of limited supply, these have not
been fully explored.