Turning Lead into Gold Company Claims Mercury-to-Gold Conversion While Generating Clean Energy

For centuries, the transmutation of base metals into gold has been the stuff of legend, relegated to the realm of alchemists and mystics. Now, a start-up called Marathon Fusion is proposing a scientific twist on this ancient ambition. They claim to have developed a viable method for converting mercury into gold using nuclear fusion, a process that is supposedly economically profitable while simultaneously generating clean energy.

Marathon Fusion's proposal centres around nuclear transmutation, converting the 198Hg (mercury) isotope into 197Au (gold) through neutron absorption and subsequent radioactive decay. The innovation lies in achieving this transformation within a tokamak-type fusion reactor, a device researched for decades as a potential source of clean, almost limitless energy. According to simulations, their system could generate two metric tons of gold per gigawatt of thermal energy produced annually. This represents not only a source of wealth, but it could also double the revenue typically generated by a fusion power plant, making its implementation economically attractive.

The key is the design of the breeding blanket surrounding the tokamak's plasma chamber. Instead of pure lithium, Marathon proposes using a lithium alloy with enriched mercury, optimising the nuclear reactions necessary for transmutation and tritium production, a crucial fusion fuel. Bombarding 198Hg with fast neutrons forms 197Hg, which has a half-life of just 64 hours and quickly decays into 197Au, the most stable and commercially viable form of gold. Despite the exciting proposition, researchers caution there are significant technical hurdles. The method has only been tested in simulations, requiring years of development and testing before real-world implementation. Challenges include the need for an initial inventory of enriched mercury, a costly and difficult-to-obtain resource, and designing reactor materials to withstand complex nuclear reactions without compromising safety. Furthermore, the newly produced gold's residual radioactivity requires cooling and storage for about 17 years before reaching a safe level for handling and commercialisation. However, Marathon Fusion argues this isn't a critical limitation, as much of the world's gold is used as a store of value, allowing for unhurried storage.

Beyond gold production, Marathon Fusion's system represents an ambitious bet to accelerate nuclear fusion development. If viable, it could provide clean, safe, and abundant energy while funding its expansion through gold sales. The study remains preliminary, facing engineering, logistical, and international regulatory realities surrounding nuclear material use. However, if Marathon Fusion is correct, this could be an unprecedented achievement, transforming alchemy into a tangible reality impacting both economy and environment.

Fuente Original: https://cerebrodigital.net/empresa-convierte-mercurio-oro-energia-limpia/

Artículo generado mediante LaRebelionBOT