Power processing unit options for high powered nuclear electric propulsion using MPD thrusters
- California Inst. of Technology, Pasadena, CA (United States). Jet Propulsion Lab.
An electric propulsion vehicle designed to transport cargo in support of a piloted expedition to Mars will require electrical power in the range of megawatts. This paper summarizes an evaluation of various megawatt-class power processing unit (PPU) design and technology options for high-power nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) vehicles using turboalternators and advanced magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters. A baseline system uses a low-voltage turboalternator, rectifiers and thrusters. However, there are other options. Four such design and technology options with the potential of improving overall system efficiency and reducing cabling mass are analyzed. The first option uses high-voltage AC from a wye-connected turboalternator and a step-down transformer, the second option uses a six-phase star-connected turboalternator instead of the wye-connected alternator in the baseline configuration, the third option uses PPU rectifier electronics located near the thrusters with a remotely-located radiator, and the fourth option uses cryogenic power conversion electronics and cabling to reduce losses. It is found that the third option has the potential of providing maximum overall power conversion efficiency and reducing mass. Presently, the fourth option appears to have maximum complexity of design and implementation, is costly, and is somewhat uncertain even through it can be the most attractive option in the future.
- OSTI ID:
- 163363
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950729-; TRN: IM9604%%468
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 30. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference, Orlando, FL (United States), 30 Jul - 5 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 30. intersociety energy conversion engineering conference. Volume 1; Goswami, D.Y. [ed.] [Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States)]; Kannberg, L.D.; Somasundaram, S. [eds.] [Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)]; Mancini, T.R. [ed.] [Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)]; PB: 798 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
21 NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
POWER CONDITIONING CIRCUITS
DESIGN
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
SPACE VEHICLES
ALTERNATORS
RECTIFIERS
RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems