Largest Nuclear Fusion Reactor Might Not Work Due To Fuel Crisis; Tritium Shortage Getting Worst?

The largest nuclear fusion reactor called ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) may not work as the fuel crisis worsens.

As of writing, this nuclear tech is still under development. Experts said that ITER may become operational around 2035. However, one of its major fuel sources might soon disappear before the structure is completed.

ITER has a donut-shaped nuclear reactor called tokamak, which relies on tritium and deuterium. This tech smashes the two hydrogen fuels until they fuse in hotter plasma than the sun's surface.

Thanks to this, the massive nuclear structure can generate enough clean energy for thousands of households. But, this may not happen as tritium continues to decline.

Largest Nuclear Fusion Reactor Might Not Work

According to The Wired's latest report, deuterium is quite different from tritium when it comes to the source. Deuterium can be acquired from seawater.

Since 97% of the Earth is composed of water, this hydrogen fuel will not decline easily. On the other hand, tritium is quite the opposite.

Experts said that tritium is incredibly rare. They believe that since this hydrogen fuel is decaying fast, it only has around 12.3 years until half of it vanishes.

If this is true, then the largest nuclear fusion reactor will have a hard time operating.

Tritium's Decay is Not Really Bad News

Researchers stated that once tritium decays, it actually becomes another form of fuel energy called helium-3.

Vice reported that helium-3 could lead t a limitless clean power. But, it is still inaccessible since most of it is floating in outer space, especially on the moon.

A new study stated that helium-3 is a helium isotope that is considered a powerful energy source for future nuclear fusion reactors.

If you want to see further details about helium-3, you can visit this link.

Previously, a new nuclear fusion experiment produced around 59 megajoules of energy.

Meanwhile, some small nuclear power plants received a billion-dollar investment from Samsung C&T.

For more news updates about nuclear fusion and other energy topics, always keep your tabs open here TechTimes.

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Written by: Griffin Davis