Perspective on Radiolytic Charging for Redox Flow Battery Electrolytes Using the Nuclear Decay Energy of Spent Nuclear Fuel/Radionuclides

The conversion of nuclear energy into electricity is facilitated by chemical intermediates and molecular products formed during the radiolysis of water. In this work, we hypothesize a novel radiolytic charging approach for redox flow battery electrolytes. Radiolytically produced ionic intermediates and molecular products oxidize or reduce the metal ion solutes in the electrolytes. A qualitative study for choice of redox couples based on electrochemical principles followed by a feasibility study of radiolytic conversion of active material is presented. A framework for an empirical investigation of radioactive source, equipment and dose, and product characterization techniques is discussed. The proposed method finds application in the utilization of spent nuclear fuel (specifically gamma emissions from fission products in early activity stages) as a radiolysis radiation source for electrolyte charging. We present a perspective on future investigations that are required to harness nuclear energy for charging electrolytes and developing a self-operating RFB system.