Marathon Fusion Explores Fusion Reactor: Potential Up to 3,000 Kg of Gold Production Annually?

San Francisco-based Marathon Fusion has proposed a fusion reactor concept that could use fast neutrons from a 1,5-gigawatt thermal tokamak to transmute mercury-198 into the more stable gold-197. The multi-layered reactor would contain mercury and lithium near the core, surrounded by molten lithium-beryllium fluoride salts. Simulation results indicate this setup has the potential to generate up to 3000 kg of energy. gold could produce per year, with a market value of about 180 million euro, and that without reducing energy production.

Gold and Tritium Production: A Two-Pronged Approach

The same reactor transition could produce tritium by slowing down neutrons and absorbing them in lithium, resulting in a closed fuel cycle. However, the gold produced would contain traces of radioactive gold-198 and would require approximately 14 years of decay before it could be commercially viable. It's important to emphasize that this research so far is based solely on simulation, and has not yet been peer-reviewed or physically validated.

The reality of the proposal: speculation or future possibility?

While the nuclear reactions involved are theoretically possible, the entire proposal remains speculative at this time. Without an operational commercial fusion reactor, the economic and technical feasibility of gold production through neutron transmutation cannot yet be confirmed. However, if the concept is proven, it could attract the attention of both energy investors and the advanced materials industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposed concept of Marathon Fusion?
Marathon Fusion has proposed a concept in which a fusion reactor uses fast neutrons to transmute mercury-198 into gold-197, with the potential to produce 3000 kg of gold per year.

What are the possible byproducts of this process?
Besides producing gold, the reactor could also generate tritium by capturing neutrons in lithium. However, the gold produced would contain traces of radioactive gold-198, which requires 14 years to decay before it is commercially usable.

Has this concept been proven yet?
At this time, the Marathon Fusion concept is still speculative and based on simulation results. The economic and technical feasibility of gold production via neutron transmutation has not yet been confirmed.