SNAP III. FINAL PERFORMANCE TEST SUMMARY

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1961

OSTI ID:4013940

This report includes data obtained during the final six months of a life test program on the SNAP 3, 3M-1G1O generator and supplements information previously discussed in Section E of the Final Performance Test Summary. The life test was initiated on January 26, 1960, and 322 days of continuous operation at steady-state power input conditions were completed on December 13, 1960. The thermal power input to the generator was terminated on December 19, 1960, after the generator had been operated under a full range of external loads for determining postllfe-test performance characteristics. The electrical power output after 322 days at steady-state heat source conditions and external load conditions was 1.92 watts, corresponding to an over-all efficiency of 2.9%. Teardown inspection of the generator confirmed previous indications of increased lnternal electrical resistance and increased thermal- c-onductivity. These conditions resulted from lead telluride sublimation at thermoelectric hot junction temperatures of 950 to 1000 deg F and occurred primarily during the first 60 days of operation, when 54% of the total performance reduction took place. These observations account for the gradual reduction in generator performance from its startof-life electrical output of 3.45 watts and over-all efficiency of 5.2%. (auth)

• Research Organization: Martin Co. Nuclear Div., Baltimore
• DOE Contract Number: AT(30-3)-217
• NSA Number: NSA-15-018577
• OSTI ID: 4013940
• Report Number(s): MND-P-2398(Add.1)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

EFFICIENCY
ENERGY
EVAPORATION
GENERATORS
INSPECTION
LEAD COMPOUNDS
LIFETIME
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
PHYSICS
POWER
RESISTORS
SOLIDIFICATION
SUBLIMATION
TELLURIDES
TEMPERATURE
TESTING
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMOCOUPLES
THERMOELECTRICITY