4 ms·

Really dumb question, but can spent nuclear rods still be used to generate electricity (from the heat)? Thanks

• cjslep 7y ago
  Not a dumb question. With your parenthetical, "from the heat", no. A crude measure of "potential electrical energy" is the difference in "temperature" (really, enthalpy) between the coldest water coming in contact with the spent fuel at the bottom and hottest water/steam leaving the top (natural convection), and while each rod's heat generation is significant enough to require water cooling so it doesn't melt, it isn't enough heat in enough time to generate enough steam to move a X00 MW turbine or two.
  • jmkni 7y ago
    Cool, thanks for answering!