Examination of scintillator-photovoltaic cell-based spent fuel radiation energy conversion for electricity generation

Abstract

Using computational models, this research examined electricity generation from spent nuclear fuel and its possible uses. The proposed approach was based on converting gamma radiation energy into electricity using scintillators and photovoltaic cells. The work includes performing gamma radiation environment analysis around spent fuel, scintillated photon analysis, and photovoltaic cell analysis for electricity generation. The OrigenArp code was used for gamma radiation environment analysis and the MCNPX 2.7.0 code was used for analyzing scintillation process. For the scintillated photon analysis and photovoltaic cell analysis, a new simulation model was developed and validated based on comparison with experimental data. The effect of self-absorption and radiation damage within the scintillator was described by using experimental data. Based on using 14 energy conversion system units in a spent fuel storage pool in a PWR with CdWO4 as scintillator and SiO2 as photovoltaic cell, generation of electric energy was estimated to range between a few hundred watts and a few watts depending on the cooling time. The estimated amount of electric power generation from spent fuel energy conversion was not enough for large scale applications. But the converted electric power could be utilized as emergency power source in an operating nuclear power plant for various detection and monitoring purposes and for the support of spent fuel pool cooling pump operations.