Proposal for Electric Power Generation by Using X-Rays and Gamma Rays

Abstract

To determine the feasibility of generating electric power from X-rays and gamma rays emitted by nuclear waste, an electric power generation module was first designed and tested with a diagnostic X-ray tube. This module consisted of an ultrahigh-speed and extremely thick intensifying screen and an amorphous silicon photovoltaic cell. Then, the circuit current and the load voltage induced by X-rays were simultaneously measured by a variable-load method. A maximum power of 2.7mW was obtained at a tube voltage of 120 kV, a tube current of 400 mA, and an irradiation time of 0.2 s with a distance of 0.33m between the focal point of the X-ray tube and the power generation module. An analysis of the absorbed energy determined that the efficiency of energy conversion was 1.4%. Next, these results were extrapolated in order to determine the amount of power generated for a case in which the radioactive source is either spent nuclear fuel or high-level waste. Such a system can continuously generate 38W of electric power. The potential of this new method that enables electricity generation by X-rays and gamma rays is significant considering the vast amounts of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste in storage around the world.