SEMINAR ON

NUCLEAR
BATTERY
PRESENTED BY
NAME:SUVENDU BEHERA
REGISTRATION NO.: 1621106161
BRANCH: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
SECTION: B2
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
EVOLUTION
TYPES OF NUCLEAR BATTERY/ RADIOISOTOPE GENERATOR
THERMAL CONVERTERS
NON THERMAL CONVERTERS
RADIOISOTOPES USED
APPLICATIONS
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
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INTRODUCTION

The term nuclear battery describes a device which uses energy from the decaying of
a radioactive isotope to generate electricity.

 Like nuclear reactors they generate electricity from atomic energy, but differ is that they
do not use a chain reaction.

Also known as Atomic Battery, Tritium Battery and Radioisotope Generator

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EVOLUTION

Nuclear battery technology began in 1913, when Henry Moseley first demonstrated
the beta cell.

The field received considerable in-depth research attention for applications requiring long-
life power sources for space needs during the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1954 RCA (Radio Corporation of America) researched a small atomic battery for small
radio receivers and hearing aids.
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TYPES OF NUCLEAR BATTERY/

RADIOISOTOPE GENERATOR
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THERMAL CONVERTERS
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
 A thermionic converter consists of a hot emitter electrode from which electrons are
vaporized by thermionic emission and a colder collector electrode into which they are
condensed after conduction through the interelectrode plasma.
The interelectrode Plasma is basically an ionized gas like cesium vapor.
The resulting current, typically several amperes per square centimetre of emitter surface,
delivers electrical power to a load at a typical potential difference of 0.5–1 volt and thermal
efficiency of 5–20%, depending on the emitter temperature (1500–2000 K) and mode of
operation.
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RADIOISOTOPE THERMO-ELECTRIC GENERATOR

A Radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG, RITEG) is an electrical generator that uses

an array of thermocouples to convert the heat released by the decay of a
suitable radioactive material into electricity by the Seebeck effect. This generator has no
moving parts.

The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon in which a temperature difference between two

dissimilar electrical conductors or semiconductors produces a voltage difference between
the two substances
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THERMO PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS

Thermophotovoltaic cells work by the same principles as a photovoltaic cell, except that
they convert infrared light (rather than visible light) emitted by a hot surface, into
electricity.
Thermophotovoltaic cells have an efficiency slightly higher than thermoelectric couples
and can be overlaid on thermoelectric couples, potentially doubling efficiency.
 ALKALI-METAL THERMAL TO ELECTRIC CONVERTER 10
The alkali-metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) is an electrochemical device for the
direct conversion of heat to electrical power.
It uses a recirculating alkali metal (Sodium or Potassium) working fluid passing through a
solid electrolyte in a closed circuit to produce an electron flow in an external load.
AMTEC devices depend on the unique properties of some solid ceramic electrolytes such as
β" or P" Alumina which, due to their crystal structure, are very good conductors of ions but
poor conductors of electrons.
The working fluid is driven around a closed thermodynamic cycle between a heat source
and a heat sink held at different temperatures and, during the vapour phase of the cycle,
the available work from the isothermal expansion of the working fluid as it passes through
the electrolyte is converted directly into electric power.
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STIRLING RADIOISOTOPE GENERATOR

The Stirling radioisotope generator (SRG) is a generator based on a Stirling engine powered
by a large radioisotope heater unit.
A Stirling engine is a heat engine that operates by cyclic compression and expansion of air
or other gas (the working fluid) at different temperatures, such that there is a net
conversion of heat energy to mechanical work.
The hot end of the Stirling converter reaches high temperature and heated helium drives
the piston, heat being rejected at the cold end of the engine. A generator or alternator
converts the motion into electricity.
New developments have led to the creation of a more efficient version, known as
an Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator
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NON THERMAL GENERATORS

DIRECT CHARGING GENERATORS

 This method makes use of kinetic energy as well as the magnetic

property of Alpha particles to generate current.
 It consists of a core composed of radioactive elements.
 Primary generator consists of a LC tank circuit.
 LC circuit produces the oscillations required for transformer
operation.
 DIAGRAM OF DIRECT CHARGING GENERATOR 14

EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
 BETA VOLTAICS 15

 Betavoltaics are generators of electrical current, in effect a form of battery, which use energy from a
radioactive source emitting beta particles (electrons). A common source used is the hydrogen isotope,
tritium.
 The principles used for the operation of a betavoltaic battery are very similar to those of a photovoltaic
battery.
 Electron–hole pairs are created, collected in a junction, and then converted into a current . Each beta
particle produces thousands of hole pairs as it inelastically scatters through the silicon substrate.
 Electrode A (P-region) has a positive potential while electrode B (N-region) is negative.

ALPHAVOLTAICS
 Alpha-voltaic power sources are devices that use a semiconductor junction to produce electrical particle
from energetic alpha particles.
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Comparison of Lithium AA battery with conceptual Betavoltic power source

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RECIPROCATING ELECTROMECHANICAL ATOMIC BATTERIES

Electromechanical atomic batteries use the build up of charge between two plates to pull
one bendable plate towards the other, until the two plates touch, discharge, equalizing the
electrostatic buildup, and spring back.
The mechanical motion produced can be used to produce electricity through flexing of
a piezoelectric material or through a linear generator.
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RADIOISOTOPES USED

Atomic batteries use radioisotopes that produce low energy beta particles or
sometimes alpha particles of varying energies.
• Tritium
• Nickel-63
TESTED
• Promethium-147
• Technetium-99
• Plutonium-238
• Curium-242
USED
• Curium-244
• Strontium-90
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APPLICATIONS

SPACECRAFT
• Can avoid refrigeration/heating equipments required for storage batteries.
• Unaffected by long period of darkness and radiation belts like Van-Allen belt.
• Compact and lighter in weight.
PACEMAKERS
• In Cardiac pacemakers batteries should have reliability and longevity to avoid
frequent replacements.
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AUTOMOBILES
• No need for frequent recharging as in case of present electric vehicles.
UNDERWATER SYSTEMS
• Under-water sea probes and sea sensors
• In sensors working for long time.
• At inaccessible and extreme conditions.
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ADVANTAGES

Life span- minimum of decades.

Reliable electricity.
Amount of energy obtained is very high.
Lighter with high energy density.
Less waste generation.
Reduces green house and associated effects.
Fuel used is the nuclear waste from nuclear fission.
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DISADVANTAGES

High initial cost of production as its in the experimental stage.

Energy conversion methodologies are not much advanced.
Regional and country-specific laws regarding use and disposal of
radioactive fuels.
To gain social acceptance.
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CONCLUSION

The current research of nuclear batteries shows promise in

future applications for sure.
These are the batteries/ portable power supply for future applications.
With implementation of this new technology credibility and feasibility of
devices will be heightened.
It will replace small batteries in small compact devices of future.
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REFERENCES

http://www.ethicalhavoc.net/Thread-NUCLEAR-BATTERIES
http://www.raytheon.com/newsroom/technology_today/2011_i1/power.ht
ml
http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2012/ph241/kumar1/
http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/renewables/the-daintiest-dynamos
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_battery