Generating Energy with Plutonium: 2kW Requirement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the theoretical generation of electrical power using plutonium, specifically addressing the feasibility of using plutonium-237 to meet a 2kW power requirement. Participants explore concepts related to radioactive decay, energy output, and comparisons with existing technologies like radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the amount of plutonium-237 needed to generate 2kW of power, noting their limited knowledge of radioactive decay.
  • Another participant references the use of plutonium-238 in RTGs for space missions, highlighting its longer half-life compared to plutonium-237, which has a much shorter half-life and thus poses challenges for power generation.
  • A participant provides details about the GPHS-RTG, including its dimensions, mass, and power output, emphasizing the inefficiency of converting thermal power to electrical power.
  • One participant seeks clarification on how to determine the power output of plutonium, asking for a method to calculate it without loss.
  • A suggestion is made to use the energy released in a decay and the activity of the plutonium isotope to calculate power output.
  • Another participant mentions the historical use of Strontium-89 in Soviet marine applications, raising concerns about the implications of such technologies in terms of safety and security.
  • A participant inquires about the general formula for calculating radioactive decay power and seeks resources for further understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of using plutonium-237 for power generation, with some emphasizing its short half-life as a significant limitation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical application of plutonium-237 for generating the desired power output.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the specific isotopes discussed, the efficiency of energy conversion in RTGs, and the assumptions made regarding the decay processes and calculations involved.

Numeriprimi
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I don't know a lot of about radioactive decay of particles, but I have a crazy question. Theoretically - plutonium 237 has a warm effect. I get a heat energy when I catch it through lead. How much plutonium I need to some power (eg electrical device - 2kW)? What do you think?

Thanks and sorry for my bad English.
 
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You're talking about something similar to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope_thermoelectric_generator

Several have been used on various space probes. But they have used Plutonium-238 instead of 237. P-238 has a half life of over 80 years, almost idea for space missions. However P-237 only has a half life of around 45 days, which means that while it would put out far more power, you simply aren't going to be able to make enough of it for any power generation purpose. That's also an important thing to consider. Plutonium isn't naturally abundant. All of it is made artificially.

From here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPHS-RTG

The GPHS-RTG has an overall diameter of 0.422 m and a length of 1.14 m.[1] Each GPHS-RTG has a mass of about 57 kg and generates about 300 Watts of electrical power at the start of mission (5.2 We/Kg), using about 7.8 kg of Pu-238 which produces about 4,400 Watts of thermal power.[2] The plutonium oxide fuel is in 18 GPHSs. Note that the GPHS are cuboid although they contain cylindrical plutonium based pellets.

Note that RTG's are very inefficient, and only 300 watts of electrical power are generated from the 4,400 watts of thermal power.
 
Hmmm, interesting, thanks :-)
And how to determine the power (P) of plutonium?(without loss)
 
Take the energy freed in one decay, e.g. from the isotopes list in
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutonium
and calculate the activity of the given amount N (in atoms) of the Pu isotope from the half-life
##A=N/t_{1/2} \cdot \ln 2##
and multiply the two to obtain the power.
 
Btw, the sowiet marine has used Strontium-89 based SNAPs (systems for nuclear auxiliary power) to power light houses and these are now rotting around all over the former SU posing a major thread for nuclear terrorism.
 
Hmmm, this is a general formula? Is any intelligible page where is more about the formula?
 

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