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If nuclear fusion were to become useful for residential heating, could the plasma be useful for fake fireplaces? (lemmy.world)

submitted 8 months ago by JoshuaSlowpoke777@lemmy.world to c/nostupidquestions@lemmy.ca

18 comments fedilink hide all child comments

When I say “fake fireplace”, I mean something like those structures fueled by fossil methane that produce flame and heat but obviously don’t burn actual wood

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[–] IsoKiero@sopuli.xyz 20 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Plasma is a bit hotter than your gas fireplace flame. Common lighter flame is at about 600 deg C and while it's possible to create plasma which is nearly ambient temperature in controlled environments it's generally tens of thousands of degrees (plasma arc welding for example) up to tens or hunderds of million degrees celsius (inside fusion generator).

That's mostly why fusion energy is so difficult problem to solve in the first place as there's no materials which could withstand the heat. So, no, it wouldn't be useful as a fireplace. It would of course radiate heat, but it would also light your (and your neighbours) house on fire, so not that useful.

[–] gregorum@lemm.ee 7 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Not to mention that the plasma arc would be so bright that it would blind you.

[–] TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz 10 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Even worse, wavelengths of light change based on temperature so multi million degree plasma will blast you with ultraviolet and X-ray radiation

[–] IsoKiero@sopuli.xyz 4 points 8 months ago

And that's why you can get a sunburn if you're welding without proper clothing/protection.

Technically speaking nothing is stopping you from building a plasma fireplace right now, it doesn't need fusion energy. Just grab a stick welder transformer and place couple of carbon rods carefully next to each other. That might be a bit loud, a bit bright for your living room and might set things on fire and have other minor issues like killing your wifi-signal, but it could be done.

Or if you're satisfied with a bit smaller "flame" you can get a plasma lighter from amazon for 10-20€.

[–] gregorum@lemm.ee 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

on the plus side, your teeth will never be whiter! or your bones!

[–] DarkNightoftheSoul@mander.xyz 4 points 8 months ago

yeah, yeah, sure- but whatabout cold fusion?!1