Reply To: What are the top Alternative Fusion candidates?

[Jolly Roger]

On the Fusion FAQ page I previously cited it states that the p-Li6 reaction gives up 4.0 MeV energy, whereas the p-B11 reaction gives up 8.7 Mev energy, more than twice as much.

However, according to

http://home.earthlink.net/~jimlux/nuc/reactions.htm
(“Nuclear Reactions of Interest”.)
there is a secondary reaction. p-Li6 produces He3 and He4. He3 further reacts with Li6 to produce 16.9 Mev energy.

The p-B11 reaction requires a higher operating temperature. I do not know how much higher.

As x-ray production (and x-ray cooling) is proportional to the square of the charge (Li=+3, B=+5), the Boron reaction produces 25/9 more x-rays than the Lithium reaction, almost 3 times as much. However, Dr. Lerner has stated that the Magnetic Effect may mitigate that problem.

The Li6:Li7 abundance ratio is only 8:100, but isotopic separation is said to be not difficult.

I think that Lithium-6 should be investigated as a potential alternative fuel, and not dismissed outright.