However, for a collection of atoms of a single nuclide the decay rate, and thus the half-life ( t 1/2) for that collection, can be calculated from their measured decay constants. Radioactive decay is a random process at the level of single atoms: it is impossible to predict when one particular atom will decay. The radioactive decay can produce a stable nuclide or will sometimes produce a new unstable radionuclide which may undergo further decay. These emissions are considered ionizing radiation because they are energetic enough to liberate an electron from another atom. During those processes, the radionuclide is said to undergo radioactive decay. This excess energy can be used in one of three ways: emitted from the nucleus as gamma radiation transferred to one of its electrons to release it as a conversion electron or used to create and emit a new particle ( alpha particle or beta particle) from the nucleus. Essentially, attempting to extract energy from the linear motion of charged particles coming off a fission reaction.A radionuclide ( radioactive nuclide, radioisotope or radioactive isotope) is a nuclide that has excess nuclear energy, making it unstable. In the early 2000s, research was undertaken by Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, The University of Florida, Texas A&M University and General Atomics to use direct conversion to extract energy from fission reactions. As the particles naturally ionize as fission occurs, electrostatic suspension is a simple process. This increases the surface area enough to allow for effective radiative cooling. Sheldon involves the use of a dusty plasma of electrostatically suspended fuel nanoparticles in the core.
While this had a high surface area, it proved not enough to radiate the heat absorbed during the reactions, so their design was modified to rotate long wires through the core, giving them time to cool.Ī later design by Rodney A. Īn earlier design by scientists at Idaho National Engineering Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory involved the concept of coating fine carbon wires with fissionable fuel. The potential could exist for conventional nuclear waste to be processed via the use of fission fragment reactors. The rate the particles decelerate at depends on their energy as a consequence, the deceleration process also can help provide isotopic separation as an automatic reprocessing stage. A magnetic mirror induced by an axial magnetic field typically collates the fragments into a beam that can then be decelerated to generate power. Generally, if fuels subject to criticality are used instead of those that naturally decay (as in a nuclear battery), a moderator is typically involved as well. The reactor chamber contains a high surface area nuclear fuel to both facilitate direct emission of fission fragments and assist in cooling the fuel.
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The fission fragment ion beam would be passed through a magnetohydrodynamic generator to produce electricity.įission fragment reactor designs generally have several common components. By doing so, it bypasses the Carnot cycle and can achieve efficiencies of up to 90% instead of 40-45% attainable by efficient turbine-driven thermal reactors. Similar to how the fission-fragment rocket produces thrust, a fission fragment reactor is a nuclear reactor that generates electricity by decelerating an ion beam of fission byproducts instead of using nuclear reactions to generate heat. JSTOR ( December 2009) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: "Fission fragment reactor" – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.
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