A method which eliminates the radiation damage problem is a Two-Step Photon Intermediate Direct Energy Conversion (PIDEC) method that uses the efficient generation of photons from the interaction of particulate radiation with fluorescer media. The photons are then transported to wide band-gap photovoltaic cells where electrical current is generated. PIDEC holds the promise of 40% energy conversion efficiency in a single cycle. PIDEC can be applied both to large power generation systems and to small scale nuclear batteries based on radioisotopes (Radioisotope Energy Conversion System-RECS).
The direct energy conversion system would be more efficient than current steam cycle systems and would not use water. The system that the University of Missouri and U.S. Semiconductor Corp are developing is mechanically simple, potentially leading to more compact, more reliable and less expensive systems. Mark Prelas is the lead researcher.
A typical light-water reactor nuclear power plant offers thermal efficiency around 35%, while a modern coal-powered plant with super-critical boiler tops out at 44%. New high temperature nuclear reactors could also reach those levels of efficiency.
The latest gas turbines offer thermal efficiencies in the 40% range, with a recent model reportedly obtaining 46%. These values refer to simple-cycle operation, where turbine exhaust is not further used. Real advantage comes from gas turbine exhaust applied as input to a standard steam turbine in a combined-cycle power plant. This is where new-generation gas turbines can become the driving engine to obtain 60%+ overall thermal efficiency.
FURTHER READING
There has been other work on direct nuclear radiation to electricity conversion systems and high efficiency thermal to electricity systems.
Background on cooling nuclear powerplants.
var _phPubId = ‘dkr04’;
var _phWidth = ‘300’;
var _phHeight = ‘250’;
var _phBgColor = ‘#ebebeb’; // For background color
var _phBorderColor = ‘#999999’; // For border color
var _phTextColor1 = ‘#006699’; // For Link 1 color
var _phTextColor2 = ‘#333333’; // For Link 2 color
var url = ‘http://ph.affinity.com/ph-adcloud-m.js?’ + ‘h=’+escape(location.hostname) + ‘&pb=’ + escape(_phPubId);
document.write(unescape(“%3Cscript src='” + url + “‘ type=’text/javascript’%3E%3C/script%3E”));
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.