Energy storage options for space power
Including energy storage in a space power supply enhances the feasibility of using thermal power cycles (Rankine or Brayton) and providing high-power pulses. Review of storage options (superconducting magnets, capacitors, electrochemical batteries, thermal phase-change materials (PCM), and flywheels) suggests that flywheels and phase-change devices hold the most promise. Latent heat storage using inorganic salts and metallic eutectics offers thermal energy storage densities of 1500 to 2000 kJ/kg at temperatures to 1675/sup 0/K. Innovative techniques allow these media to operate in direct contact with the heat engine working fluid. Enhancing thermal conductivity and/or modifying PCM crystallization habit provide other options. Flywheels of low-strain graphite and Kevlar fibers have achieved mechanical energy storage densities of 300 kJ/kg. With high-strain graphite fibers, storage densities appropriate to space power needs (approx. 550 kJ/kg) seem feasible. Coupling advanced flywheels with emerging high power density homopolar generators and compulsators could result in electric pulse-power storage modules of significantly higher energy density.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6353056
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-850103-13; ON: DE86003307
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. symposium on space nuclear power systems, Albuquerque, NM, USA, 14 Jan 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
REVIEWS
FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE
LATENT HEAT STORAGE
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
ARAMIDS
CRYSTALLIZATION
GRAPHITE
PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
CARBON
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HEAT STORAGE
MATERIALS
MINERALS
NONMETALS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASTICS
POWER SUPPLIES
STORAGE
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
250000* - Energy Storage