Prospects of Hydrogen Production through Fusion

Abstract

With approximately two-thirds of world energy needs supplied by petroleum and natural gas, the expected future shortage of these resources will lead to a need for substitute fuels early in the next century. Synthetic fuels produced by conversion of the relatively abundant resources of coal can be expected to play a major role in filling this need. These resources can be substantially extended, and the environmental impacts of the conversion process considerably reduced, if external sources of hydrogen and process heat are provided. Nuclear fusion is a future inexhaustible energy source which can provide both hydrogen and high-temperature process heat. Moreover, certain unique features of fusion suggest the possibility of significant increases in overall process efficiencies through operation at very high temperatures. Studies are underway on the feasibility of coupling high-temperature electrolysis and thermochemical cycle processes with a fusion reactor and thus achieving splitting of water by fusion energy.