Abstract

Provided herein are methods and systems for extracting zirconium and/or other impurities from a strontium-containing mixture. A method for removing zirconium from a mixture including zirconium and strontium can include converting at least a portion of a Zr-containing precursor to ZrF4 in the mixture, converting at least a portion of a Sr-containing precursor to SrF2 in the mixture, solubilizing at least a portion of the ZrF4 and/or the SrF2 in a solvent to create a solution, and/or separating at least a portion of the solubilized ZrF4 and/or at least a portion of the solubilized SrF2 from the mixture.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01F 11/22 - Fluorides
• C01G 25/02 - Oxides
• C01G 25/04 - Halides

Abstract

42444 and/or at least a portion of the solubilized Srp2 from the mixture.

IPC Classes  ?

• C01G 25/04 - Halides
• C22B 34/10 - Obtaining titanium, zirconium or hafnium
• C22B 34/14 - Obtaining zirconium or hafnium

Abstract

Provided herein is a method for fabricating a heat source for a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG). The method may include reducing a particle size in a strontium compound by powdering and sieving the strontium compound and/or dissolving the strontium compound into an aqueous solution; mixing the strontium compound with graphite to obtain a strontium-graphite mixture; performing a press to the strontium-graphite mixture; and encapsulating the pressed strontium-graphite mixture into an x-ray shielding to obtain the heat source.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21H 1/10 - Cells in which radiation heats a thermoelectric junction or a thermionic converter
• G21G 4/06 - Radioactive sources other than neutron sources characterised by constructional features

Abstract

Provided herein is a method for fabricating a heat source for a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG). The method may include reducing a particle size in a strontium compound by powdering and sieving the strontium compound and/or dissolving the strontium compound into an aqueous solution; mixing the strontium compound with graphite to obtain a strontium-graphite mixture; performing a press to the strontium-graphite mixture; and encapsulating the pressed strontium-graphite mixture into an x-ray shielding to obtain the heat source.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21G 4/04 - Radioactive sources other than neutron sources
• G21H 1/10 - Cells in which radiation heats a thermoelectric junction or a thermionic converter

Abstract

Provided is a fuel design configured to have a thickness that is equal to or less than a mean-free path of electrons emitted by a radioactive energy source to prevent electrons produced thereby from being stopped within the fuel design and thus decreasing the intensity of bremsstrahlung radiation generated within the fuel design. Additionally provided is a two-phase shielding system (220) including a first shield (206) formed of a first material having a thickness exceeding a mean-free path of an electron emitted from a radioactive source material so as to prevent the electron from passing through the first shield, and a second shield (208) formed of a second material configured to prevent bremsstrahlung radiation generated by the electron from passing through the second shield.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21H 1/10 - Cells in which radiation heats a thermoelectric junction or a thermionic converter
• G21H 1/02 - Cells charged directly by beta radiation
• G21F 1/02 - Selection of uniform shielding materials
• G21G 4/06 - Radioactive sources other than neutron sources characterised by constructional features

Abstract

Provided is a fuel design configured to have a thickness that is equal to or less than a mean-free path of electrons emitted by a radioactive energy source to prevent electrons produced thereby from being stopped within the fuel design and thus decreasing the intensity of bremsstrahlung radiation generated within the fuel design. Additionally provided is a two-phase shielding system including a first shield formed of a first material having a thickness exceeding a mean-free path of an electron emitted from a radioactive source material so as to prevent the electron from passing through the first shield, and a second shield formed of a second material configured to prevent bremsstrahlung radiation generated by the electron from passing through the second shield.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21G 4/06 - Radioactive sources other than neutron sources characterised by constructional features
• G21F 1/12 - Laminated shielding materials
• G21H 1/10 - Cells in which radiation heats a thermoelectric junction or a thermionic converter

Abstract

Provided is a fuel design configured to have a thickness that is equal to or less than a mean-free path of electrons emitted by a radioactive energy source to prevent electrons produced thereby from being stopped within the fuel design and thus preventing bremsstrahlung radiation from being generated within the fuel design. Additionally provided is a two-phase shielding system including a first shield formed of a first material having a thickness exceeding a mean- free path of an electron emitted from a radioactive source material so as to prevent the electron from passing through the first shield, and a second shield formed of a second material configured to prevent bremsstrahlung radiation generated by the electron from passing through the second shield.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21C 3/40 - Structural combination of fuel element with thermoelectric element for direct production of electric energy from fission heat
• G21H 1/00 - Arrangements for obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources, e.g. from radioactive isotopes

Abstract

Provided is a fuel design configured to have a thickness that is equal to or less than a mean-free path of electrons emitted by a radioactive energy source to prevent electrons produced thereby from being stopped within the fuel design and thus preventing bremsstrahlung radiation from being generated within the fuel design. Additionally provided is a two-phase shielding system including a first shield formed of a first material having a thickness exceeding a mean- free path of an electron emitted from a radioactive source material so as to prevent the electron from passing through the first shield, and a second shield formed of a second material configured to prevent bremsstrahlung radiation generated by the electron from passing through the second shield.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21F 1/12 - Laminated shielding materials
• G21H 1/00 - Arrangements for obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources, e.g. from radioactive isotopes

Abstract

Provided herein is a method for fabricating a heat source for a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG). The method may include reducing a particle size in a strontium compound by powdering and sieving the strontium compound and/or dissolving the strontium compound into an aqueous solution; mixing the strontium compound with graphite to obtain a strontium-graphite mixture; performing a press to the strontium-graphite mixture; and encapsulating the pressed strontium-graphite mixture into an x-ray shielding to obtain the heat source.

IPC Classes  ?

• G21G 4/06 - Radioactive sources other than neutron sources characterised by constructional features
• G21H 1/10 - Cells in which radiation heats a thermoelectric junction or a thermionic converter