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{{Sidebar element|
 
{{Sidebar element|
| image =
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| name = Deuterium
| imagecap =
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| symbol = <sup>2</sup>H ''or'' D
| Name = Deuterium
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| number = 1
| Symbol = <sup>2</sup>H ''or'' D
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| weight = 2
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}}
| ANum = 1
 
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'''Deuterium''' (or '''heavy hydrogen''') is an [[isotope]] of [[hydrogen]]. Deuterium with an admixture of [[tritium]] was used as [[fuel]] in matter-antimatter reactions aboard [[starship]]s, like the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}. It was stored in the [[deuterium tank]]s ({{TNG|Contagion|Booby Trap|Disaster}}, ''[[okudagram]]s'') as a [[cryogenic]] liquid ({{TNG|Night Terrors}} okudagram). During the [[22nd century]] at least, It was considered a highly valuable commodity, and the {{NX|Enterprise}} engines needed lots of it. ({{ENT|Marauders}})
| AWgt = 2
 
}}'''Deuterium''' (or '''heavy hydrogen''') is an [[isotope]] of [[hydrogen]] which contains one [[proton]] and one [[neutron]] in its nucleus (or deuteron), and one [[electron]] [[orbit]]ing the nucleus, whereas the hydrogen nucleus lacks any neutron particle. Naturally-occurring hydrogen consists of less than 1% deuterium.
 
   
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According to [[Tessic]], it took considerable labor to refine even a [[liter]] of deuterium. Furthermore, the process was dangerous, as deuterium could burn almost as hot as [[plasma]] when ignited. ({{ENT|Marauders}})
Deuterium, along with its [[antimatter]] opposite, [[antideuterium]], is the primary [[fuel]] used in [[matter-antimatter reaction]]s, such as those generated in [[warp core]]s, and was stored in large [[deuterium tank|tanks]] aboard [[starship]]s for this purpose. ({{TNG|Heart of Glory|Captain's Holiday|Final Mission|Night Terrors|Unification I|Relics}}, ''et al.'')
 
   
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Damage to a ship might result in the leakage of deuterium gas, or ionized deuterium. ({{TNG|Heart of Glory}}; {{DS9|The Maquis, Part II}}) Finding deuterium residue on wreckage was an indication that it might be some kind of [[warp coil]]. ({{ENT|Regeneration}})
The [[Bussard collector]]s on some starships were used to collect hydrogen and interstellar [[gas]]ses, including deuterium. ({{TNG|Samaritan Snare}}; {{VOY|Unforgettable|The Haunting of Deck Twelve}}) However, the {{USS|Voyager}} occasionally needed to find deuterium from other sources. ({{VOY|The Cloud|Demon|Bliss}})
 
   
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Aboard the {{class|Galaxy}} {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, in the [[Engineering Systems Database]], there were folders titled "Deuterium/Tritium Loading Procedures" and "Deuterium/Tritium Tankage Transfer and Safety". These folders contained [[technical manual]]s relevant to the topics. ({{TNG|Booby Trap}} [[okudagram]])
{{bginfo|The reason for this remains unstated. It may be that the Bussard collectors or other processing systems were malfunctioning, or that the collectors cannot provide for 100% of a ship's needs, or that ''Voyager'' was regularly using more deuterium than could be held in the tanks due to their constant use of the warp drive.}}
 
   
 
The [[Bussard collector]]s on some starships were used to collect hydrogen and other interstellar [[gas]]ses, including deuterium. ({{TNG|Samaritan Snare}}; {{VOY|Unforgettable|The Haunting of Deck Twelve}}) However, the {{USS|Voyager}} occasionally faced shortages and a need to find deuterium from other sources. ({{VOY|The Cloud|Demon|Bliss}})
In [[2369]], Chief O'Brien ordered that the deuterium flow to [[carbon reaction chamber]] two should be increased by five percent; however, the [[computer voice|station's computer]] refused to do this and told O'Brien to read the [[Cardassian operational guidelines]]. ({{DS9|The Forsaken}})
 
   
 
In [[2369]], [[Chief]] [[Miles O'Brien]] ordered that the deuterium flow to [[carbon reaction chamber]] two should be increased by five percent; however, the [[computer voice|station's computer]] refused to do this and told O'Brien to read the [[Cardassian operational guidelines]]. ({{DS9|The Forsaken}})
In [[2371]], [[Miles O'Brien]] and [[Jake Sisko]] investigated the possibility of turning the [[ore processing]] section of [[Deep Space 9]], formerly used for processing [[uridium]] using [[Bajoran]] [[slavery|slave]] labor, into a deuterium refinery. They accidentally triggered [[Dukat]]'s [[counter-insurgency program]] while doing so, however. ({{DS9|Civil Defense}})
 
   
The "[[Silver Blood]]", native to a [[class Y planet|Y-class planet]] in the [[Delta Quadrant]], is a [[biomimetic lifeform]] composed of deuterium, [[hydrogen sulfate]], [[dichromate]]s, and [[protein]]s. ({{VOY|Demon}})
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Deuterium was one element in "[[Silver Blood]]", a [[biomimetic lifeform]] native to a [[class Y planet|Y-class planet]] in the [[Delta Quadrant]]. Other components of the "Silver Blood" were [[hydrogen sulfate]], [[dichromate]]s, and [[protein]]s. ({{VOY|Demon}})
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Deuterium was scarce within {{dis|The Void|anomaly}}, and a number of vessels within it raided others in order to obtain deuterium. [[Garon]] had a saying that "''&hellip;good intentions are like deuterium reserves; they tend to get lost in The Void.''" Despite this, he joined [[The Alliance]] in helping protect ships against such attacks. ({{VOY|The Void}})
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Per guidelines, all ships in the [[Antarian Trans-stellar Rally]] had to use enriched deuterium fuel, something the ''{{dis|Delta Flyer|2377}}'' was not equipped to do. ({{VOY|Drive}})
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==Facilities==
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[[Federation]] [[starbase]]s had reservoirs of deuterium, which were used for refilling the deuterium tanks of starships. ({{TNG|Captain's Holiday}})
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During the [[22nd century]], [[T'Pol]] had visited several colonies that traded deuterium. In [[2152]], she visited [[Deuterium mining planet|one such deuterium facility]] aboard {{NX|Enterprise}} so the ship could replenish reserves lost in an incident in which the ship had taken damage. More rustic then typical, it consisted of a small itinerant colony, the members of which moved to deuterium fields and pumped up substance and refined it. ({{ENT|Marauders}})
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During its search for the [[Xindi]], ''Enterprise'' visited a deuterium station on [[Norellus]]. ({{ENT|Rajiin}})
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[[Degra]] claimed that [[Azati Prime]] held a [[Xindi-Insectoid]] deuterium facility. ({{ENT|Stratagem}})
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In [[2371]], Miles O'Brien and [[Jake Sisko]] investigated the possibility of turning the [[ore processing]] section of [[Deep Space 9]], formerly used for processing [[uridium]] using [[Bajoran]] [[slave]] labor, into a deuterium refinery. They accidentally triggered a [[counter-insurgency program]] created by [[Dukat]] while doing so. ({{DS9|Civil Defense}})
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==See also==
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* [[Antideuterium]]
   
 
== External link ==
 
== External link ==
 
* {{wikipedia}}
 
* {{wikipedia}}
 
   
 
[[de:Deuterium]]
 
[[de:Deuterium]]

Latest revision as of 05:12, 21 July 2023

Deuterium (or heavy hydrogen) is an isotope of hydrogen. Deuterium with an admixture of tritium was used as fuel in matter-antimatter reactions aboard starships, like the USS Enterprise-D. It was stored in the deuterium tanks (TNG: "Contagion", "Booby Trap", "Disaster", okudagrams) as a cryogenic liquid (TNG: "Night Terrors" okudagram). During the 22nd century at least, It was considered a highly valuable commodity, and the Enterprise engines needed lots of it. (ENT: "Marauders")

According to Tessic, it took considerable labor to refine even a liter of deuterium. Furthermore, the process was dangerous, as deuterium could burn almost as hot as plasma when ignited. (ENT: "Marauders")

Damage to a ship might result in the leakage of deuterium gas, or ionized deuterium. (TNG: "Heart of Glory"; DS9: "The Maquis, Part II") Finding deuterium residue on wreckage was an indication that it might be some kind of warp coil. (ENT: "Regeneration")

Aboard the Galaxy-class USS Enterprise-D, in the Engineering Systems Database, there were folders titled "Deuterium/Tritium Loading Procedures" and "Deuterium/Tritium Tankage Transfer and Safety". These folders contained technical manuals relevant to the topics. (TNG: "Booby Trap" okudagram)

The Bussard collectors on some starships were used to collect hydrogen and other interstellar gasses, including deuterium. (TNG: "Samaritan Snare"; VOY: "Unforgettable", "The Haunting of Deck Twelve") However, the USS Voyager occasionally faced shortages and a need to find deuterium from other sources. (VOY: "The Cloud", "Demon", "Bliss")

In 2369, Chief Miles O'Brien ordered that the deuterium flow to carbon reaction chamber two should be increased by five percent; however, the station's computer refused to do this and told O'Brien to read the Cardassian operational guidelines. (DS9: "The Forsaken")

Deuterium was one element in "Silver Blood", a biomimetic lifeform native to a Y-class planet in the Delta Quadrant. Other components of the "Silver Blood" were hydrogen sulfate, dichromates, and proteins. (VOY: "Demon")

Deuterium was scarce within The Void, and a number of vessels within it raided others in order to obtain deuterium. Garon had a saying that "…good intentions are like deuterium reserves; they tend to get lost in The Void." Despite this, he joined The Alliance in helping protect ships against such attacks. (VOY: "The Void")

Per guidelines, all ships in the Antarian Trans-stellar Rally had to use enriched deuterium fuel, something the Delta Flyer was not equipped to do. (VOY: "Drive")

Facilities

Federation starbases had reservoirs of deuterium, which were used for refilling the deuterium tanks of starships. (TNG: "Captain's Holiday")

During the 22nd century, T'Pol had visited several colonies that traded deuterium. In 2152, she visited one such deuterium facility aboard Enterprise so the ship could replenish reserves lost in an incident in which the ship had taken damage. More rustic then typical, it consisted of a small itinerant colony, the members of which moved to deuterium fields and pumped up substance and refined it. (ENT: "Marauders")

During its search for the Xindi, Enterprise visited a deuterium station on Norellus. (ENT: "Rajiin")

Degra claimed that Azati Prime held a Xindi-Insectoid deuterium facility. (ENT: "Stratagem")

In 2371, Miles O'Brien and Jake Sisko investigated the possibility of turning the ore processing section of Deep Space 9, formerly used for processing uridium using Bajoran slave labor, into a deuterium refinery. They accidentally triggered a counter-insurgency program created by Dukat while doing so. (DS9: "Civil Defense")

See also

External link