How hot are spent nuclear reactor fuel rods?

Chest Springs

When a fuel rod is spent at a atomic reactor, it still radiates passion plus be compelled be placed in refrigerated water. How hot are the fuel rods after they are initially removed from the ability plant? How fast does the eagerness decay? Why is this heat not harvested in a sprinkling fashion (eagerness motor like a sterling motor or thermoelectric?)



Ellendale

If the fuel rods are not in a reactor, they cool fairly quickly. It's not a lot of heat and is not worth recovering. There are small, low power energy sources that depend on radioactive decay that is not stimulated in a reactor. These are used for spacecraft in the outer solar system, for example. They do not produce a lot of power.