#10: The Discovery of Hydrogen Isotopes

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Another important application of deuterium is its use in nuclear power reactors. Heavy water is formed from deuterium, and is used as a moderator and heat transfer agent. Its function as a moderator is crucial in slowing down the emitted neutrons from nuclear reactions which increases the fission reaction rate (nuclear reaction in which a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei thereby emitting large amounts of energy and neutrons). The use of heavy water in CANDU (Canada’s nuclear power reactors) enables it to use non-enriched natural uranium, being very cost efficient. An additional significant application of heavy hydrogen is nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion reaction is a reaction in which smaller nucleolus atoms collide and fuse together, overcoming repulsive forces, thereby forming larger atoms and releasing large amounts of energy [8] (Example: Hydrogen bomb). Fusion reaction yield enormous amounts of energy, being able to harness this energy efficiently while controlling the reaction (avoiding a massive explosion) will be the ultimate energy source. Deuterium can be used as the fuel for controlled fusion reaction, this will replace gasoline. One gallon of Gasoline (3.785L) outputs 10 8 Joules of Energy, enough to boil 300L of water from room temperature, costs $3.4 [9] (Price in U.S as of 19/1/2012). Whereas deuterium used as a fuel in fusion reaction, from 1 gallon of water 0.12g can be extracted at a price of $0.04 [10] , which would release 10 10 Joules, enough to boil 30,000L of water at a fraction of the price of gasoline. See Chart 1 for summarized comparison Fuel Method Resources Cost ($/Gal) Energy Output (J/Gal) $3.4 buys you, energy (J) Efficiency Factor Gasoline Combustion 3.4 10 8 10 8 1 Deuterium Fusion 0.04 10 10 * 85*10 10 8500 *10 10 Joules/gallon of water (0.12g of D) Aside from direct dollar costs, the gasoline availability is limited whereas deuterium in comparison is unlimited (70% of the earth is water). Furthermore, this energy source will trim down dependence on corrupt middle-eastern countries, saving the world lots of troubles. Using nuclear fusion as an energy source definitely seems promising, however isn’t realistic at the moment as many difficulties must be resolved. Tritium As mentioned, Tritium is an isotope of hydrogen having two neutrons in its nucleus. Tritium is radioactive, having a half life of 12.3 years [11] . Tritium, being radioactive, means the nucleus can breakapart (decay) actively releasing radiation, which can damaged cells, damage DNA and cause Cancer. Due to tritium’s instability its abundance is 10 -16 % [12] in nature, and therefore has to be artificially produced. 8 Oxford Dictionary of Physics 9 Gasoline Price- http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/ 10 Physics for Scientists and Engineers- Serway, 6 th edition pg. 1488 11 General Chemistry- Principles and Modern Applications, 9 th edition- pg 1060 12 Tritium-http://wwsw.ead.anl.gov/pub/doc/tritium.pdf
Production Tritium occurs naturally in the environment in extremely low quantities to be practically recovered and so has to be artificially produced. There are several production methods of tritium, the most common and efficient large scale production method is the one used in Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina. At SRS neutrons are fired at a target consisting of lithium, neutrons react with the lithium and produce tritium along with other by-products. Application The main application and purpose of production of tritium is for nuclear weapon, specifically the hydrogen bomb and nuclear bomb. Tritium gas is used in nuclear weapons’ warhead in order to enhance its explosive yield [13] . Furthermore, tritium is also used in emergency glow in the dark signs providing illumination independent of electrical supply [14] . Another remarkable application of tritium is its use as a tracer in both research and industry. A tracer is a radioactive isotope whose presence in a system can be easily detected and monitored. For instance, suppose a biologist wants to determine the flow of water through soil in a specific ecosystem, the biologist will create water with tritium isotopes (T 2 O) and will be able to monitor the flow of the radioactive water through the soil by using detectors which sense the radiation given off by the tritium [15] . Figure 4- Hydrogen Bomb The discovery of Hydrogen Isotopes most definitely deserves a noble prize due to its significant influence on our world today. 13 Tritium Production-http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/crs/97-002.htm 14 Tritium Production-http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/intro/tritium.htm 15 Application of Tritium-http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/C-K/Hydrogen.html#b
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#10: The Discovery of Hydrogen Isotopes

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