Megawatt solar power systems for lunar surface operations. Final report

Technical Report · Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990

OSTI ID:6437173

Adams, B; Alhadeff, S; Beard, S; Carlile, D; Cook, D; Douglas, C; Garcia, D; Gillespie, D; Golingo, R; Gonzalez, D

As an alternative to nuclear power, the development of a modular one megawatt solar power system is studied, examining both photovoltaic and dynamic cycle conversion methods, along with energy storage, heat rejection, and power backup subsystems. For photovoltaic power conversion, two systems are examined. First, a substantial increase in photovoltaic conversion efficiency is realized with the use of new GaAs/GaSb tandem photovoltaic cells, offering an impressive overall array efficiency of 23.5 percent. Since these new cells are still in the experimental phase of development, a currently available GaAs cell providing 18 percent efficiency is examined as an alternate to the experimental cells. Both Brayton and Stirling cycles, powered by linear parabolic solar concentrators, are examined for dynamic cycle power conversion. The Brayton cycle is studied in depth since it is already well developed and can provide high power levels fairly efficiently in a compact, low mass system. The dynamic conversion system requires large scale waste heat rejection capability. To provide this heat rejection, a comparison is made between a heat pipe/radiative fin system using advanced composites, and a potentially less massive liquid droplet radiator system. To supply power through the lunar night, both a low temperature alkaline fuel cell system and an experimental high temperature monolithic solid-oxide fuel cell system are considered. The reactants for the fuel cells are stored cryogenically in order to avoid the high tankage mass required by conventional gaseous storage. In addition, it is proposed that the propellant tanks from a spent, prototype lunar excursion vehicle be used for this purpose, therefore resulting in a significant overall reduction in effective storage system mass.

• Research Organization: Washington Univ., Seattle, WA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6437173
• Report Number(s): N-90-26391; NASA-CR-186509; NAS-1.26:186509; AA-420; AA-421
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
MOON
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
DESIGN
BRAYTON CYCLE
EFFICIENCY
FUEL CELLS
GALLIUM ANTIMONIDES
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
HEAT STORAGE
HIGH TEMPERATURE
PROGRESS REPORT
SOLAR COLLECTORS
STIRLING CYCLE
WASTE HEAT
ANTIMONIDES
ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
GALLIUM COMPOUNDS
HEAT
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PNICTIDES
POWER PLANTS
SATELLITES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
STORAGE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
WASTES
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems
140700 - Solar Thermal Power Systems