nuclear battery

1. NUCLEAR
BATTERY
COLLAGE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
,UDAIPUR
Submitted to Submitted by
Dr. R.R.Joshi Pankaj Gupta
Head of Electrical department Final Year ,EE(30)
CTAE(UDAIPUR) CTAE(UDAIPUR)

2. INTRODUCTION
Device which uses energy from the decay of a
radioactive isotope to generate electricity.
Also known as atomic battery, nuclear
battery, tritium battery and radioisotope
generator.
Like nuclear reactors they generate electricity
from atomic energy, but differ in that they do
not use a chain reaction

3. CONVERSION TECHNIQUES
Thermal
• Whose output power is a function of
temperature differential.
Non-thermal
• Whose output power is not a function of
temperature difference.

4. Classification
Radio isotope
generator
Non thermal
converters
Direct charge
batteries
Alpha
Beta
Direct
conversion
batteries
P-n junction
Contact
potential
Secondary
electron
Indirect
conversion
batteries
Thermal
converters

5. Betavoltaic cell-
Uses energy from a radioactive source emitting beta particles.
Common source used is the hydrogen isotope , Tritium
Betavoltiacs uses a non thermal conversion process ,using a
semiconductor p-n junction

6. Thermal Converters
Thermionic converter
Radioisotope thermoelectric generator
Thermo photovoltaic cells
Alkali-metal thermal to electric converter
Stirling radioisotope generator

7. THERMIONIC CONVERTER
 It consists of a hot electrode which thermionically
emits electrons over a space charge barrier to a cooler
electrode, producing a useful power output.
 Caesium vapor is used to optimize the electrode work
function and provide an ion supply to neutralize the
electron space charge.

8. Radioisotope Thermoelectric
Generator
 A thermoelectric converter uses thermocouples.
 Each thermocouple is formed from two wires of
different matals.
 A temperature gradient along the length of each wire
produces a voltage gradient from one end of the wire to
the other.

9. Non Thermal Converters
 Direct charging generators
 Betavoltaics
 Alphavoltaics
 Optoelectric
 Reciprocating Electromechanical Atomic Batteries

10. Applications
They have exteremely long life and high energy density,
and so they are mainly used as power sources for
equipment that must operate unattended for long
periods of time, such as -
 Spacecraft
 Pacemakers
 Underwater systems
 Automated scientific stations in remote parts of the
world.

11. Advantages
1.Life span-minimum of decades.
2.Reliable electricity.
3.Amount of energy obtained is very high.
4.Fuel use is the nuclear waste from nuclear fission.
5.Reduce green house and associated effects.
6.Lighter with high energy density.

12. Disadvantages
1.High initial cost of production as its in the
experimental stage.
2.Energy conversion technologies are not much
advanced.
3.Regional and country-specific laws regarding
use and disposal of radioactive fuels.
4.To gain social acceptance.

13. Conclusion
Clearly the current research
of nuclear batteries shows
promise in future
applications for sure . With
implementation of this new
technology credibility and
feasibility of the device will
be heightened.