4 ms·
How do you get this number? Googling a bit, the D-T reaction produces 17.59 MeV per helium atom, so it should yield 17.59 MeV / (helium-4 atomic mass) = 0.117
by vilhelm_s 6y ago
How do you get this number? Googling a bit, the D-T reaction produces 17.59 MeV per helium atom, so it should yield
17.59 MeV / (helium-4 atomic mass) = 0.117 TWh/kg
in thermal energy per kg of helium produced. The U.S. electricity production in 2019 was 4,118 TWh [1] and 4118 TWh / 0.117 (TWh/kg) = 35,196 kg.
If we assume some inefficency in the thermal->electricity conversion, I guess it should produce at least 70,000 kg/year.
[1] https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=427&t=3 https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=427&t=3