Developing a locomotive powered by nuclear fusion that runs nonstop around the world as seen in the South Korean post-apocalyptic train movie “Snowpiercer” could be possible, scientists said.
If the world’s scientists and engineers can figure out a way to make a fusion reactor small enough to fit inside a train’s engine room, and use snow as a water supply to fuel the fusion, a real-life Snowpiercer could be developed like nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines.
“If a small-size fusion reactor can be developed, it can generate energy for a train,” said Oh Young-kook, a researcher at the National Fusion Research Institute.
“Also, assuming we can use around 5,000 lithium-ion batteries in an engine room, and turn snow outside into water, a fusion reactor could generate energy for a train for several decades.”
Nuclear fusion is referred to as an “artificial sun” as it can potentially generate an unlimited amount of energy through hydrogen and tritium.
Hydrogen can be obtained from water, while tritium can be gained from lithium-ion batteries, which are used nowadays to power smartphones or laptops, the researcher noted.
Scientists worldwide are seeking to develop and secure the next-generation sustainable energy through a controlled process of making two atomic nuclei collide and fuse.
Seven members ― the European Union, India, Japan, China, Russia, South Korea and the U.S. ― are currently building the world’s largest experimental nuclear fusion reactor, called the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, or ITER, in France.
Its first pilot fusion plant will begin operations in 2040.
“Fusion power will be the most ideal source of energy as it is safer and greener than nuclear energy,” said Kim Gon-ho, a professor of Seoul National University’s Plasmas and Fusion Engineering Department.
“It will still take some time to make it commercially available even after 2040 because the fusion process requires a very high, sophisticated level of technology.”
South Korea, which belatedly jumped into fusion energy research, plans to invest some 150 billion won ($146 million) in the field this year.
The National Fusion Research Institute successfully developed a nuclear fusion reactor called Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research in 2007.
“The KSTAR will conduct a variety of experiments and tests to realize the development of fusion energy,” an NFRI official said.
By Shin Ji-hye (shinjh@heraldcorp.com)
