Solar dynamic power system definition study. Final report
The solar dynamic power system design and analysis study compared Brayton, alkali-metal Rankine, and free-piston Stirling cycles with silicon planar and GaAs concentrator photovoltaic power systems for application to missions beyond the Phase 2 Space Station level of technology for all power systems. Conceptual designs for Brayton and Stirling power systems were developed for 35 kWe and 7 kWe power levels. All power systems were designed for 7-year end-of-life conditions in low Earth orbit. LiF was selected for thermal energy storage for the solar dynamic systems. Results indicate that the Stirling cycle systems have the highest performance (lowest weight and area) followed by the Brayton cycle, with photovoltaic systems considerably lower in performance. For example, based on the performance assumptions used, the planar silicon power system weight was 55 to 75 percent higher than for the Stirling system. A technology program was developed to address areas wherein significant performance improvements could be realized relative to the current state-of-the-art as represented by Space Station. In addition, a preliminary evaluation of hardenability potential found that solar dynamic systems can be hardened beyond the hardness inherent in the conceptual designs of this study.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5681288
- Report Number(s):
- N-88-20361; NASA-CR-180877; NAS-1.26:180877; RI/RD-87-250; CONF-870575-
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 39. National Aerospace and Electronics (NAECON) conference, Dayton, OH (United States), 18-22 May 1987
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
DESIGN
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
BRAYTON CYCLE
ENERGY STORAGE
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
HEAT PIPES
LITHIUM FLUORIDES
RANKINE CYCLE
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
STIRLING CYCLE
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HALIDES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
POWER PLANTS
POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
STORAGE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
140702* - Solar Thermal Power Systems- Central Receiver