Limits to power system growth
Abstract
In the design of space nuclear power systems a variety of conversion techniques may be used, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. A study was performed which analyzed over 120 proposed system designs. The designs were compared to identify the optimum conversion system as a function of power level and find limits to specific mass (kg/kWe) for each power cycle. Furthermore, the component masses were studied to determine which component of the overall design contributes the most to total system mass over a variety of power levels. The results can provide a focus for future research efforts by selecting the best conversion technology for the desired power range, and optimizing the system component which contributes most to the total mass.
- Authors:
-
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331 (United States)
- Umpqua Research, Inc., P.O. Box 791, Myrtle Creek, Oregon 97457 (United States)
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352 (United States)
- Publication Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 6801587
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930103-
Journal ID: ISSN 0094-243X; CODEN: APCPCS
- Resource Type:
- Conference
- Journal Name:
- AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 271:2; Conference: 10. symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 10-14 Jan 1993; Journal ID: ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; 42 ENGINEERING; ENERGY CONVERSION; SYSTEMS ANALYSIS; SPACE POWER REACTORS; BRAYTON CYCLE; OPTIMIZATION; PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS; RANKINE CYCLE; STIRLING CYCLE; THERMIONIC CONVERSION; THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION; CONVERSION; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; MOBILE REACTORS; POWER REACTORS; REACTORS; THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES; NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems; 210600* - Power Reactors, Auxiliary, Mobile Package, & Transportable; 425000 - Engineering- Power Cycles- (1980-)
Citation Formats
Slater, S M, Klein, A C, Webb, B J, and Pauley, K A. Limits to power system growth. United States: N. p., 1993.
Web. doi:10.1063/1.43083.
Slater, S M, Klein, A C, Webb, B J, & Pauley, K A. Limits to power system growth. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.43083
Slater, S M, Klein, A C, Webb, B J, and Pauley, K A. 1993.
"Limits to power system growth". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.43083.
@article{osti_6801587,
title = {Limits to power system growth},
author = {Slater, S M and Klein, A C and Webb, B J and Pauley, K A},
abstractNote = {In the design of space nuclear power systems a variety of conversion techniques may be used, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. A study was performed which analyzed over 120 proposed system designs. The designs were compared to identify the optimum conversion system as a function of power level and find limits to specific mass (kg/kWe) for each power cycle. Furthermore, the component masses were studied to determine which component of the overall design contributes the most to total system mass over a variety of power levels. The results can provide a focus for future research efforts by selecting the best conversion technology for the desired power range, and optimizing the system component which contributes most to the total mass.},
doi = {10.1063/1.43083},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6801587},
journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)},
issn = {0094-243X},
number = ,
volume = 271:2,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 1993},
month = {Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 1993}
}