An analytical model for liquid-anode and vapor-anode AMTEC converters

Journal Article · Fri Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 1997 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.51977· OSTI ID:21165721

Tournier, Jean-Michel; El-Genk, Mohamed S; Schuller, Michael; Hausgen, Paul ^[1]

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1. Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies Dept. of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131 (United States)

This paper describes a lumped analytical model of liquid-anode single-tube and vapor-anode multi-tube AMTEC cells. The model results agreed well with experimental data for Mo, NbN and TiN electrodes. Results showed that Mo and NbN electrodes exhibit high B values between 400 and 600 A.K{sup 1/2}/Pa.m{sup 2}, and have the potential for peak power densities slightly above 1 W/cm{sup 2}, with efficiencies as high as 28%. In contrast, TiN electrodes have lower temperature-independent exchange currents, between 120 and 135 A.K{sup 1/2}/Pa.m{sup 2}, lower peak power densities between 0.5 and 0.75 W/cm{sup 2}, and efficiencies below 24% at a BASE temperature of 1200 K. These values of B compare well with that reported by other investigators.

• OSTI ID: 21165721
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 387, Issue 1; Conference: STAIF-97: Space technology and applications international forum, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 26-30 Jan 1997; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.51977; (c) 1997 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
07 ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES
ANODES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EFFICIENCY
NIOBIUM NITRIDES
RADIOISOTOPES
SPACE VEHICLES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
TITANIUM NITRIDES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems