Segment 5 | Recycling
Solar Panel Recycling | Innovative Recovery Solutions
An efficient process has been developed for recycling solar panels, utilizing patented technologies to recover valuable materials. This solution addresses solar panel waste and promotes a circular economy.
The methodology begins with the segregation of components like silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) current collectors, maximizing material recovery. Glass is then removed from silicon (Si) panels for reuse in new products.
Additionally, separating ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) enhances silicon recovery. Through these innovations, the process transforms waste into valuable resources and strengthens its commitment to sustainability.
Major Developments in
this Segment:
01
Component Segregation
-
Segregate components including silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) current collectors, as well as aluminum (Al) panels and frames.
02
Glass Removal
-
Remove glass from silicon (Si) panels to facilitate further processing.
03
Material Separation
-
Separate ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from the top and bottom layers of silicon panels for enhanced recovery.
Segment 5 | Recycling
Nuclear power | space application and their recycling at end-of-life different ways to use nuclear power for space applications
Nuclear Power for space application and their recycling at end-of-life different ways to use nuclear power for space applications
These applications of nuclear power for space can be carried out via
01
RITGs Principle
-
Radioactive Isotopes based Thermoelectric Generators (RITGs). The RITGs works on the principle of conversion of thermal energy into electric energy by Peltier effect.
02
Spacecraft Fission Power
-
Small Fission reactors on board to power the space craft
03
Fast Reactors for Space
-
Fast reactors using Uranium Nitride based fuels to generate thermal energy and convert to electrical energy via thermoelectric effect (the cooling of nuclear reactor in space is the major bottleneck)
04
Nuclear Rocket Engine
-
Nuclear engine for Rockets (Nuclear Fission reactor can generate electricity employing double Brayton cycle, driven by gas turbines utilizing the heated gas from the nuclear reactor as energy source)
These kind of nuclear technology for space applications is not new, as countries like USA and Russia had already explored them at prototype stage in few of its space applications in early and late 20th century
- | SNAP-10 | Romashka | Bouk | SP-100 | Topaz-1 | Topaz-2 | SAFE-400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Country | United States | Russia | Russia | United States | Russia | Russia- United States | United States |
Year | 1965 | 1967 | 1977 | 1983 | 1987 | 1992 | 2002 |
kWt | 45.5 | 40 | <100 | 2000 | 150 | 135 | 400 |
kWe | 0.65 | 0.8 | $<5$ | 100 | 5.10 | 6 | 100 |
Fuel | U-ZrHx | UC2 | U-Mo | UN | UO2 | UO2 | UN |
Core Temp | 858 | 1900 | 1000 | 1377 | 1600 | 1900 | 1020 |
Coolant | NaK | None | NaK | Li | NaK | NaK | Na |
Neutron spectrum | Thermal | Fast | Fast | Fast | Thermal | Thermal epithermal | Fast |
Reactor mass kg | 435 | 455 | <390 | 5422 | 320 | 1061 | 512 |
Segment 5 | Recycling
Solar Panel Recycling | Innovative Recovery Solutions
An efficient process has been developed for recycling solar panels, utilizing patented technologies to recover valuable materials. This solution addresses solar panel waste and promotes a circular economy.
The methodology begins with the segregation of components like silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) current collectors, maximizing material recovery. Glass is then removed from silicon (Si) panels for reuse in new products.
Additionally, separating ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) enhances silicon recovery. Through these innovations, the process transforms waste into valuable resources and strengthens its commitment to sustainability.
01
Component Segregation
-
Segregate components including silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) current collectors, as well as aluminum (Al) panels and frames.
02
Glass Removal
-
Remove glass from silicon (Si) panels to facilitate further processing.
03
Material Separation
-
Separate ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from the top and bottom layers of silicon panels for enhanced recovery.
Major Developments in this Segment:
Segment 5 | Recycling
Solar Panel Recycling | Innovative Recovery Solutions
An efficient process has been developed for recycling solar panels, utilizing patented technologies to recover valuable materials. This solution addresses solar panel waste and promotes a circular economy.
The methodology begins with the segregation of components like silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) current collectors, maximizing material recovery. Glass is then removed from silicon (Si) panels for reuse in new products.
Additionally, separating ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) enhances silicon recovery. Through these innovations, the process transforms waste into valuable resources and strengthens its commitment to sustainability.
01
Component Segregation
-
Segregate components including silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) current collectors, as well as aluminum (Al) panels and frames.
02
Glass Removal
-
Remove glass from silicon (Si) panels to facilitate further processing.
03
Material Separation
-
Separate ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from the top and bottom layers of silicon panels for enhanced recovery.
Major Developments in this Segment:
NUCLEAR PROPULSION TO SPACECRAFT
Nuclear Power propulsion of the rockets provide edge over the conventional jet propulsion via the much higher temperatures that can be reached by nuclear reactors. Chemical propulsion methods can reach temperatures < 1000 K , whereas nuclear reactors can reach temperatures $>1000 \mathrm{~K}$. Higher the temperature, higher would be the exhaust velocity, and thus higher specific impulse. Thus, spacecraft with nuclear propulsion would be the best option for deep space missions due to higher specific impulses. This also reduces the amount of fuel consumption in comparison with conventional rockets and can carry a higher payload
Distance and time comparison with the conventional and Nuclear propulsion of rocket
Destination | Jet-10 | Rocket | Ray of light |
|---|---|---|---|
Sun | 17 years | 5 months | 8 min |
Earth's Moon | 15 days | 9 h | 1 s |
Mercury | 9 years | 3 months | 4 min |
Venus | 5 years | 1 months | 2 min |
Mars | 7 years | 2 months | 3 min |
Jupiter | 70 years | 2 years | 33 min |
Saturn | 141 years | 3 years | 1 h |
Uranus | 305 years | 7 years | 2 h |
Neptune | 509 years | 12 years | 4 h |
Pluto | 506 years | 12 years | 4 h |
Proxima Centauri | NA | NA | 4 years |
Center Of The Milky Way Galaxy | NA | NA | 27,000 years |
ADVANTAGES OF USING NUCLEAR POWER IN SPACE APPLICATIONS
01
Accelerated Mission Timeline
-
It would be possible to plan the mission to be completed in months rather than years with nuclear propulsion methods.
02
Long-Term Fuel Supply
-
Fuel would not be a problem, since with very limited fuel (in terms of mass), a nuclear reactor within the spacecraft can be utilized for decades without having fuel constraints
03
Heat for Life Support
-
Besides the electricity generated by the nuclear reactor, the heat from the reactor core can be utilized to generate continuous heat for the spacecraft and its systems both for life support and for protection of avionic systems from the cold of space
04
Hydrogen Propellant Conservation
-
By heating a hydrogen-slush-fuel mix with a nuclear reactor, which can be directly vented to the outside, would allow conservation of propellant
01
Accelerated Mission Timeline
-
It would be possible to plan the mission to be completed in months rather than years with nuclear propulsion methods.
02
Long-Term Fuel Supply
-
Fuel would not be a problem, since with very limited fuel (in terms of mass), a nuclear reactor within the spacecraft can be utilized for decades without having fuel constraints
03
Heat for Life Support
-
Besides the electricity generated by the nuclear reactor, the heat from the reactor core can be utilized to generate continuous heat for the spacecraft and its systems both for life support and for protection of avionic systems from the cold of space
04
Hydrogen Propellant Conservation
-
By heating a hydrogen-slush-fuel mix with a nuclear reactor, which can be directly vented to the outside, would allow conservation of propellant
Segment 5 | Recycling
Nuclear power | space application and their recycling at end-of-life different ways to use nuclear power for space applications
Nuclear Power for space application and their recycling at end-of-life different ways to use nuclear power for space applications
01
Radioactive Isotopes based Thermoelectric Generators (RITGs). The RITGs works on the principle of conversion of thermal energy into electric energy by Peltier effect.
02
Small Fission reactors on board to power the space craft
03
Fast reactors using Uranium Nitride based fuels to generate thermal energy and convert to electrical energy via thermoelectric effect (the cooling of nuclear reactor in space is the major bottleneck)
04
Nuclear engine for Rockets (Nuclear Fission reactor can generate electricity employing double Brayton cycle, driven by gas turbines utilizing the heated gas from the nuclear reactor as energy source)
These kind of nuclear technology for space applications is not new, as countries like USA and Russia had already explored them at prototype stage in few of its space applications in early and late 20th century
- | SNAP-10 | Romashka | Bouk | SP-100 | Topaz-1 | Topaz-2 | SAFE-400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Country | United States | Russia | Russia | United States | Russia | Russia- United States | United States |
Year | 1965 | 1967 | 1977 | 1983 | 1987 | 1992 | 2002 |
kWt | 45.5 | 40 | <100 | 2000 | 150 | 135 | 400 |
kWe | 0.65 | 0.8 | $<5$ | 100 | 5.10 | 6 | 100 |
Fuel | U-ZrHx | UC2 | U-Mo | UN | UO2 | UO2 | UN |
Core Temp | 858 | 1900 | 1000 | 1377 | 1600 | 1900 | 1020 |
Coolant | NaK | None | NaK | Li | NaK | NaK | Na |
Neutron spectrum | Thermal | Fast | Fast | Fast | Thermal | Thermal epithermal | Fast |
Reactor mass kg | 435 | 455 | <390 | 5422 | 320 | 1061 | 512 |
01
RITGs Principle
-
Radioactive Isotopes based Thermoelectric Generators (RITGs). The RITGs works on the principle of conversion of thermal energy into electric energy by Peltier effect.
02
Spacecraft Fission Power
-
Small Fission reactors on board to power the space craft
03
Fast Reactors for Space
-
Fast reactors using Uranium Nitride based fuels to generate thermal energy and convert to electrical energy via thermoelectric effect (the cooling of nuclear reactor in space is the major bottleneck)
04
Nuclear Rocket Engine
-
Nuclear engine for Rockets (Nuclear Fission reactor can generate electricity employing double Brayton cycle, driven by gas turbines utilizing the heated gas from the nuclear reactor as energy source)
01
RITGs Principle
-
Radioactive Isotopes based Thermoelectric Generators (RITGs). The RITGs works on the principle of conversion of thermal energy into electric energy by Peltier effect.
02
Spacecraft Fission Power
-
Small Fission reactors on board to power the space craft
03
Fast Reactors for Space
-
Fast reactors using Uranium Nitride based fuels to generate thermal energy and convert to electrical energy via thermoelectric effect (the cooling of nuclear reactor in space is the major bottleneck)
04
Nuclear Rocket Engine
-
Nuclear engine for Rockets (Nuclear Fission reactor can generate electricity employing double Brayton cycle, driven by gas turbines utilizing the heated gas from the nuclear reactor as energy source)
REPURPOSING AND/OR RECYCLING THE NUCLEAR WASTE
Repurposing of the nuclear waste can be handled by reusing the rods of nuclear fuels (in native or ceramic forms) as cathodes and nuclear graphite rods as anodes to develop radioisotope-based power sources such as NUCLEAR BATTERY and NUCLEAR CAPACITORS. They are commonly denoted as betavoltaic devices, gammavoltaic devices that uses the nuclear energy to generate electricity. The devices does not initiate any nuclear chain reactions instead utilizes the beta or gamma radiations to convert into electricity. The devices possess high energy density and hence will be an inevitable option as power sources. At the end-of-the-life, the nuclear waste that had been put into use as batteries or capacitors can be recycled to non-radioactive material from which the enrichment can be done and put into use as nuclear fuel (circular economy and closed loop operation).
01
Microbial Electrochemical Carbon Capture (MECC) for Deactivating Nuclear Waste
MECC for solid, liquid nuclear waste into nonradioactive compounds
02
Nuclear Reactor Solid Waste: Pathways for Incineration and Pyrolysis to Generate Green Hydrogen
Nuclear reactor solid waste - incineration? pyrolysis for clean green h2 production
03
Biological Decomposition of Low-Level and Intermediate-Level Waste in Organic Solvents
LWW. ILW, organic solvents , nuclear graphic by biological methods
04
Comprehensive Nuclear Waste Recycling for Low, Intermediate, and High-Level Waste in Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Forms
Nuclear waste recycling (LLW, ILW, HLW, solid, liquid and gax)
MECC for solid, liquid nuclear waste into nonradioactive compounds
LLW. ILW, organic solvents , nuclear graphic by biological methods
Nuclear reactor solid waste - incineration ?pyrolysis for clean green h2 production
Nuclear waste recycling (LLW, ILW, HLW, solid, liquid and gax)