Assessment of alternative radionuclides for use in a radioisotope thermoelectric generator

Dustin, Jeremiah Seth; Borrelli, Robert A

doi:10.1016/j.nucengdes.2021.111475

Assessment of alternative radionuclides for use in a radioisotope thermoelectric generator

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Nuclear Engineering and Design

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2021.111475· OSTI ID:1832380

Dustin, Jeremiah Seth ^[1]; Borrelli, Robert A ^[2]

Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
University of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

²³⁸Pu is the current fuel source for MMRTGs. This is due to favorable properties, such as high decay heat and low gamma emissions. ²³⁸Pu supplies are dwindling rapidly, necessitating the review of potential replacement isotopes for deep space missions. This work considers nine potential replacements, Ac-227, Am-241, Cf-252, Cm-244, Cs-137, Po-210, Sr-90, Th-228, and Th-170. We have assessed performance of alternatives to ²³⁸Pu by modeling the specific decay-heat and gamma spectra of several potential radioisotopes in SCALE-ORIGEN, and comparing these with ²³⁸Pu. An analysis of heat output, heat stability, safety, availability and required mass, baselined against ²³⁸Pu demonstrates that of those radioisotopes studied, ²⁴¹Am has properties that make it most conducive for ²³⁸Pu replacement.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 1832380

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--21-21842

Journal Information:: Nuclear Engineering and Design, Journal Name: Nuclear Engineering and Design Vol. 385; ISSN 0029-5493

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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