Calculation and analysis of residual energy capture and conversion for power generation from spent fuel
ZHANG Haotian
LI Yan
LIU Huang
LUAN Xiuchun
ZHOU Jie
Abstract：To explore new pathways for utilizing the residual energy of spent fuel and alleviate the pressures associated with radioactive waste management,a technical solution is proposed that employs semiconductor PN junctions to directly capture gamma rays for electricity generation.Based on parameters from the spent fuel pool of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant,a three-dimensional gamma transport model containing 60Co and 137Cs sources is established using MCNP.GaN and SiC PN junctions are arranged in a combined configuration of 5 cm×2,and energy deposition is calculated.The results show that a single cell composed of GaN PN junctions can generate 1.26 kW of electricity,which meets and exceeds the lighting requirements for a detailed component storage area of the pool.The segmented arrangement of PN junctions deposits energy more effectively compared to a single-block configuration and reduces the radiation load on the pool walls.
Keywords：spent fuelvoltaic effectdecay energygamma rays
Publication Date：2025-10-25
Online Publishing Date：2025-11-28(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 48-52 )