Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT

 

 

Senior Design Class (22.033) uses fusion energy for hydrogen fuel production

 
Abstract.


Seniors design economically attractive steady-state large-scale fusion plants for hydrogen fuel production. Fusion energy holds the possibility of a nearly limitless energy supply for the future. Most fusion research and design studies have looked at fusion to produce electricity for the grid; however this constraint holds the total size of the plant down to 1 GigaWatt electrical. This is a challenge because the standard fusion approach using strong magnetic fields most easily occurs in hot, and therefore large, devices. 

The NSE senior design class, taught by Assoc. Prof. Dennis Whyte, examined the possibility of a fusion power plant used to make hydrogen fuel instead of electricity, freeing the fusion plant from small size limitations. Their study showed that not only did the H fuel become more competitive economically at larger size (8-30 GigaWatts) but that the core fusion design was inherently far from operational limits, yet steady-state with readily controlled heat exhaust; thus solving some of the most vexing problems for the standard tokamak configuration fusion design. 


Nuclear Science and Engineering



Research and education in nuclear science and engineering first began at MIT in 1948.

The program was one of the first of its kind in the country, and civilians and military personnel flocked to the Institute to learn about nuclear weapons and propulsion. Today the department focuses on creating a broad range of nuclear engineering applications that improve human and environmental health. MIT researchers conducted one of the first studies on nuclear reactors for large-scale electricity generation in 1953. Today we are working to make nuclear power the safest, most economical, and most environmentally friendly way of generating electricity.

Despite having roots at MIT that span more than 60 years, nuclear engineering is relatively new compared to other engineering disciplines, and its many applications will benefit society in areas from healthcare and radiation detection to space exploration and advanced materials. Our community members make key scientific and engineering advances in fission engineering and nuclear energy, fusion and plasma physics, and nuclear science and technology. We conduct research to support the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor project and collaborate with experts throughout industry and academia.

Department of Nuclear Engineering links

 


Visit the MIT Department of Nuclear Engineering home page at:
http://web.mit.edu/nse/
Review the MIT Department of Nuclear Engineering curriculum at:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/resources/curriculum/index.htm#22
Learn more about MIT Engineering:
http://engineering.mit.edu/
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/nuclear-engineering/

Sumber:

http://web.mit.edu/nse/index.html


Semoga Bermanfaat

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