Advanced Thermophotovoltaic Devices for Space Nuclear Power Systems

Journal Article · Sun Feb 06 04:00:00 EST 2005 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1867275· OSTI ID:20630571

Wernsman, Bernard; Mahorter, Robert G; Siergiej, Richard; Link, Samuel D; Wehrer, Rebecca J ^[1]; Belanger, Sean J; Fourspring, Patrick ^[2]; Murray, Susan; Newman, Fred ^[3]; Taylor, Dan ^[4]; Rahmlow, Tom ^[5]

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1. Bechtel Bettis, Inc., West Mifflin, PA 15122 (United States)
2. Lockheed Martin Corp., Schenectady, NY 12301 (United States)
3. EMCORE Photovoltaics, Albuquerque, NM 87123 (United States)
4. Bandwidth Semiconductor, LLC, Hudson, NH 03051 (United States)
5. Rugate Technologies, Inc., Oxford, CT 06804 (United Kingdom)

Advanced thermophotovoltaic (TPV) modules capable of producing > 0.3 W/cm2 at an efficiency > 22% while operating at a converter radiator and module temperature of 1228 K and 325 K, respectively, have been made. These advanced TPV modules are projected to produce > 0.9 W/cm2 at an efficiency > 24% while operating at a converter radiator and module temperature of 1373 K and 325 K, respectively. Radioisotope and nuclear (fission) powered space systems utilizing these advanced TPV modules have been evaluated. For a 100 We radioisotope TPV system, systems utilizing as low as 2 general purpose heat source (GPHS) units are feasible, where the specific power for the 2 and 3 GPHS unit systems operating in a 200 K environment is as large as {approx} 16 We/kg and {approx} 14 We/kg, respectively. For a 100 kWe nuclear powered (as was entertained for the thermoelectric SP-100 program) TPV system, the minimum system radiator area and mass is {approx} 640 m2 and {approx} 1150 kg, respectively, for a converter radiator, system radiator and environment temperature of 1373 K, 435 K and 200 K, respectively. Also, for a converter radiator temperature of 1373 K, the converter volume and mass remains less than 0.36 m3 and 640 kg, respectively. Thus, the minimum system radiator + converter (reactor and shield not included) specific mass is {approx} 16 kg/kWe for a converter radiator, system radiator and environment temperature of 1373 K, 425 K and 200 K, respectively. Under this operating condition, the reactor thermal rating is {approx} 1110 kWt. Due to the large radiator area, the added complexity and mission risk needs to be weighed against reducing the reactor thermal rating to determine the feasibility of using TPV for space nuclear (fission) power systems.

• OSTI ID: 20630571
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 746; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
EFFICIENCY
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT SOURCES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
PHOTOVOLTAIC CONVERSION
RADIATORS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SHIELDS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION