Process for the generation of nuclear energy by a new, alternative nuclear fuel. Nuclear energy has so far been obtained in nuclear reactors using enriched uranium (U235) or plutonium (Pu239). This creates highly radioactive and long-lasting fission products. These must be stored safely for a long period of time and represent a major environmental problem. The process described here describes an alternative nuclear fuel that consists of several light, chemical elements and is significantly more environmentally friendly. A homogeneous mixture of the elements lithium (1), Beryllium (3) and the hydrogen isotope deuterium (2) are used instead of uranium 235 or plutonium 239 for nuclear fission. The nuclear reactors that were previously used can be used for energy generation. The necessary neutron multiplication for neutron-induced nuclear fission is generated by a combined fission-fusion process. Lithium (preferably lithium 6 (1)) is split by a neutron (4). This creates an alpha particle (6), which generates a neutron (4) in reaction with the beryllium (3). The tritium nucleus (5) that continues to form fuses with the deuterium (2) and thereby generates another neutron (4). This process of fission and fusion generates energy and generates the necessary neutron excess for a chain reaction. The end products are either non-radioactive (e.g. carbon (7)) or go back into the reaction process (e.g. tritium (5)).
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