Sylvie Willis
With the world facing an energy and climate crisis, the search for alternative fuels is on. Plutonium is a toxic material that has to be handled with care due to its radioactivity. Plutonium-238 oxide, for example, is used to power NASA's Mars rover Curiosity. Plutonium has also been used in satellites and spacecraft. Plutonium could, therefore, be a potential fuel for cars, which could run for 100 years on just 8 grams of thorium fuel. However, there are concerns about the use of radioactive materials in cars, particularly in the event of a collision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plutonium as car fuel | Plutonium is toxic and radioactive, and therefore cannot be used as car fuel. Plutonium is a fissile isotope that can be used as fuel in nuclear reactors. |
| Alternative nuclear car fuel | Thorium is a radioactive element that has been proposed as a possible fuel for cars. |
| Nuclear-powered cars | Nuclear-powered cars have been proposed as a possible alternative to traditional fuel sources, offering up to 5,000 miles between fill-ups. |
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What You'll Learn
Plutonium's toxicity and radioactivity
Plutonium is a radioactive chemical element with the symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It is a silvery-grey actinide metal that tarnishes and turns yellowish when exposed to air. It is considered a man-made element, although trace amounts of naturally occurring plutonium have been discovered in unusual geological circumstances. Plutonium is identified as weapons-grade, fuel-grade, or reactor-grade, depending on the percentage of the 240Pu isotope it contains.
Plutonium's radioactivity is a significant concern, as it undergoes radioactive decay, emitting alpha particles that are not very harmful outside the body but can cause severe damage when inhaled. These alpha particles can kill lung cells, leading to scarring, lung disease, and cancer. Plutonium can enter the bloodstream from the lungs and travel to the kidneys, exposing these organs to alpha particles. It also accumulates in the bones, liver, and spleen, causing further health issues.
The toxicity of plutonium has been extensively studied, particularly through animal experiments on non-human primates, dogs, and rodents. The Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute (ITRI) and Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) conducted long-term dog studies, providing comprehensive insights into the adverse health effects of inhaled plutonium compounds. These studies have revealed that plutonium compounds have long-term retention in the lungs, leading to serious health consequences.
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Plutonium's use in nuclear reactors
Plutonium is a valuable energy source when integrated into the nuclear fuel cycle. In a conventional nuclear reactor, one kilogram of Pu-239 can produce sufficient heat to generate almost 8 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. Plutonium-238 is a vital power source for deep space missions.
There are two different kinds of plutonium: reactor-grade and weapons-grade. Reactor-grade plutonium is defined as that with 19% or more of Pu-240. This type of plutonium is created with very short fuel cycles, wasting much of the uranium. Weapons-grade plutonium, on the other hand, is made with a high Pu-239 concentration and not too much Pu-240. This is achieved by running the reactor with longer fuel cycles, burning up some of the Pu-239 and producing more Pu-240.
Plutonium can be used in fast neutron reactors, where all plutonium isotopes fission and function as fuel. Four of the six 'Generation IV' reactor designs currently under development are fast neutron reactors and will utilize plutonium in some way. Plutonium production will take place in the core, where burn-up is high and the proportion of plutonium isotopes other than Pu-239 will remain high.
In commercial power plants and research applications, plutonium generally exists as plutonium oxide (PuO2), a stable ceramic material. If the plutonium is extracted from used reactor fuel, it can be used as a direct substitute for U-235 in the usual fuel.
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Plutonium-powered spacecraft
Plutonium-238 is an isotope of plutonium that has been used to power spacecraft for decades. Its characteristics make it a super-fuel for deep-space exploration. Its atomic structure is unstable, and as it decays, it emits alpha radiation in the form of helium bullets, which then collide with nearby atoms, creating thermal energy. This process results in temperatures of around 1,260-1,350 degrees Celsius, which can be converted into electricity using a device called a thermocouple. This electricity can then be used to power scientific instruments and communication systems on board the spacecraft.
Plutonium-238 is particularly useful for spacecraft due to its long half-life, which means it releases energy at a constant, relatively slow rate over a long period of time. This makes it ideal for powering long-duration missions, such as Voyager 1 and 2, which have been exploring the outer reaches of the solar system since 1977. Plutonium-238 is also used in Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs), which have been used to power spacecraft such as Pioneer 10 and 11, Galileo, Cassini, and New Horizons. RTGs are particularly useful for probes that travel far from the Sun, where solar panels are impractical.
In addition to its use in RTGs, plutonium-238 has also been used in small pellets to provide passive heating for spacecraft, helping to extend their lifespan. Plutonium-238 was also used to power the Curiosity rover on Mars and will be used for the upcoming Dragonfly mission to Titan. Plutonium-238 is a non-weapons-grade radioactive material, and its production and use are carefully monitored and regulated.
However, there are some concerns about the use of plutonium-238 in spacecraft. There have been several accidents involving RTG-powered spacecraft, including a launch failure in 1964 and the Lia radiological accident in Georgia in 2001, where three villagers were exposed to radiation and one later died from their injuries. Additionally, there is a limited supply of plutonium-238, and it is challenging to produce, which could potentially impact future deep-space exploration.
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Plutonium as a car fuel alternative
Nuclear-powered cars have been a topic of discussion since the 1950s, when Ford developed the concept car called the Ford Nucleon. This car was designed with the assumption that future nuclear reactors would be smaller, safer, and more portable. The Nucleon was imagined to have a power capsule in its rear, requiring charging only every 5,000 miles. However, it remained a concept, and Ford never built a full-scale version.
Plutonium is a toxic material that must be handled with extreme care due to its chemical toxicity and ionizing radiation. While it has been used as fuel in nuclear reactors, its application as car fuel raises safety concerns. Plutonium's radioactivity poses security and public health risks, particularly in the event of a car accident. The integrity of shielding, even in a catastrophic collision, would be a critical factor in maintaining safety.
Additionally, the disposal of spent plutonium fuel is a significant challenge. It remains highly radioactive for hundreds of years, necessitating collaboration between energy companies, car manufacturers, and governments to establish standardized disposal processes. Plutonium's toxicity and the potential for misuse in nuclear weapons or radiological devices further complicate its use as a car fuel.
Despite these challenges, some experts believe that nuclear power, including plutonium, may make a comeback in various forms due to the ongoing energy and climate crises. The search for alternative fuels continues, and the idea of a nuclear-powered car, while controversial, remains an area of exploration.
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Plutonium-powered car challenges
Plutonium is a radioactive element that has been used to power spacecraft for decades. Plutonium-238 oxide, for example, is used to power NASA's Mars rover Curiosity. Plutonium has also been used as fuel in nuclear reactors, and some have considered its potential for use in cars.
Another challenge is the size of the power source. Nuclear reactors must be small enough to fit in a car while still being powerful enough to provide a reasonable range between refueling stops. In the 1950s, Ford developed a concept for a nuclear-powered car called the Nucleon, but it was never built due to the limitations of the technology at the time.
Furthermore, there are concerns about the standardization of processes and infrastructure for plutonium-powered cars. Energy companies, car manufacturers, and governments would need to collaborate to address these challenges effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
Plutonium is a radioactive and toxic substance that has been used to power spacecraft. However, there is no evidence that plutonium has been used to power cars. The use of radioactive materials in cars is strictly forbidden due to safety concerns.
Plutonium is a toxic and radioactive material that poses significant security and public health risks. In the event of a car accident, there is a risk of radioactive material being exposed or tampered with. Additionally, the disposal of spent fuel, which remains highly radioactive for hundreds of years, would require collaboration between energy companies, car manufacturers, and governments.
Thorium has been proposed as a potential nuclear fuel for cars. Laser Power Systems has been working on creating an emissions-free turbine/electric generator powered by nuclear thorium lasers. However, thorium-powered cars are not yet in production due to concerns about the use of radioactive materials in vehicles.
