Energy Sources & Conversion

An Overview of Energy Conversion Processes

One of the fundamental principles of physics is the conservation of energy. Energy can take on many forms, and various processes convert one form into another. Thermodynamics governs these conversions. While total energy always remains the same, after most conversion processes the amount of useful energy remaining is reduced.

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The processes which convert energy into useful forms have limited thermodynamic efficiencies, typically only 10-40%. This means that 60-90% of the input energy is becomes waste energy. Often significant waste materials are also produced.

Energy-Releasing Reactions

Chemical Fission Fusion
Sample Reaction C + O2 -> CO2 n + U235 -> Ba143 + Kr91 + 2n H2 + H3 -> He4 + n
Typical Inputs (to Power Plant) Bituminous Coal UO2 (3% U235 + 97% U238) Deuterium & Lithium
Typical Reaction Temperature (K) 700 1000 108
Energy Released per kg of Fuel (J/kg) 3.3 x 107 2.1 x 1012 3.4 x 1014

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Page originally assembled by Jason Edson and Hannah Cohen.
Last Revised 10-Oct-97 by Robert F. Heeter