| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus for generating electrical power from the decay heat of nuclear fuel elements and/or of nuclear fuel waste, or from another low temperature heat source using the principle of the Seebeck or other power generation effects. Also disclosed is a method of generating electrical power comprising: providing a nuclear fuel flask, crate or container 1 containing nuclear fuel or waste 9 generating heat, the flask separating the nuclear material from the external environment; placing the flask in a water-filled cooling pond or air-cooled repository; providing thermoelectric junction comprised of an n-type semiconductor 16 and a p-type semiconductor 17 connected by conducting members 15; and providing the electrical power from the thermoelectric junction for use. The thermoelectric junction/Seebeck Effect device may also comprise a junction of dissimilar metals/alloys. The thermoelectric junction may be one of a plurality of junctions which can be connected in either series or parallel. The thermoelectric junction may form part of the wall, lid and/or base of the flask.</p> |
