Diagram of the soviet radio-thermonuclear generator "Beta-M".[1]

Black: Framework
Blue: Outer radiation protection
Yellow: Heat isolation
Orange: Inner radiation protection (Tungsten)
Red: Radionuclide heat source (Strontium-90)
Pink: Thermoelectric unit
Mounted above the assembly are fins for cooling, outlined in black.

The Beta-M is a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) that was used in Soviet-era lighthouses and beacons.

Design

The Beta-M[2] contains a core made up of strontium-90, which has a half-life of 28.79 years. The service life of these generators is initially 10 years, and can be extended for another 5 to 10 years.[1] The core is also known as radioisotope heat source 90 (RHS-90). In its initial state after manufacture, the generator is capable of generating 10 watts of electricity.[3] The generator contains the strontium-90 radioisotope, with a heating power of 250W and 1,480 TBq of radioactivity – equivalent to some 280 grams (9.9 oz) of Sr-90.[4] Mass-scale production of RTGs in the Soviet Union was the responsibility of a plant called Baltiyets, in Narva, Estonia.[5]

Safety incidents

Soviet RTGs in dismantled and vandalized condition, powered by strontium-90 (90Sr)

Further information: Lia radiological accident

Some Beta-M generators have been subject to incidents of vandalism when scavengers disassembled the units while searching for non-ferrous metals.[2][4][6] In December 2001 a radiological accident occurred when three residents of Lia, Georgia found parts of an abandoned Beta-M in the forest while collecting firewood.[4] The three suffered burns and symptoms of acute radiation syndrome as a result of their exposure to the strontium-90 contained in the Beta-M.[4] The disposal team that removed the radiation sources consisted of 25 men who were restricted to 40 seconds' worth of exposure each while transferring the canisters to lead-lined drums..[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Porter, S. (9 July 2015). "Antarctica Radiological Source Removals - Complex US-Russian Cooperative Effort". Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b Kudrik, Igor (17 November 2003). "Two strontium powered lighthouses vandalised on the Kola Peninsula". Bellona.org.
  3. ^ Mahaffey, James (6 June 2017). Atomic Adventures: Secret Islands, Forgotten N-Rays, and Isotopic Murder: A Journey into the Wild World of Nuclear Science. Simon & Schuster. p. 260. ISBN 978-1-68177-480-0.
  4. ^ a b c d https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1660web-81061875.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  5. ^ Aturin, M.K.; Yarosh, V.I.; Medvedev, V.I. "Operation of radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) at sea transport objects of the Russian Federationa and their decommissioning" (PDF). International Nuclear Information System. International Atomic Energy Agency. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  6. ^ Eugene Levner; Igor Linkov; Jean-Marie Proth (6 May 2006). Strategic Management of Marine Ecosystems: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Strategic Management of Marine Ecosystems, Nice, France, 1-11 October, 2003. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-4020-3198-4.
  7. ^ "NOVA | Transcript | Dirty Bomb". PBS. 25 February 2003. Retrieved 17 November 2022.

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