Bayesian analysis of heat pipe life test data for reliability demonstration testing

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5698860

Bartholomew, R J; Martz, H F

The demonstration testing duration requirements to establish a quantitative measure of assurance of expected lifetime for heat pipes was determined. The heat pipes are candidate devices for transporting heat generated in a nuclear reactor core to thermoelectric converters for use as a space-based electric power plant. A Bayesian analysis technique is employed, utilizing a limited Delphi survey, and a geometric mean accelerated test criterion involving heat pipe power (P) and temperature (T). Resulting calculations indicate considerable test savings can be achieved by employing the method, but development testing to determine heat pipe failure mechanisms should not be circumvented.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5698860
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-85-495; CONF-850809-16; ON: DE85007706
• Resource Relation: Conference: 8. international conference on structural mechanics in reactor technology, Brussels, Belgium, 19 Aug 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
HEAT PIPES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SPACE POWER REACTORS
HEAT TRANSFER
RELIABILITY
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ENERGY TRANSFER
MOBILE REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
REACTORS
TESTING
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210600* - Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable