SNAP II POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM TOPICAL REPORT NO. 16, 2500-HOUR ENDURANCE TEST OF MERCURY RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEM

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1961

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4797353· OSTI ID:4797353

Grevstad, P E

SNAP 1 is the designation for the 0.5-kw nuclear auxiliary power supply intended for application in a satellite. SNAP 1 was designed to convert thermal energy from the decay of a radioisotope into electrical energy using a Rankine engine with mercury as the working fluid. A successful 2500-hour endurance test is described of a complete developmental version of the SNAP 1 power conversion system utilizing a prototype turbomachinery package, an electrically heated boiler, and an air-cooled condenser. Indications from the data obtained during the test and from inspection of the system following the test were that many more hours of satisfactory operation could have been obtained on all major system components except the rotating unit pump. The mercury-lubricated bearings, the turbine, and the alternator, all demonstrated excellent endurance capability. Based on previous component tests, it is concluded that the pump performance deterioration was caused by air entrainment in the liquid Hg. (auth)

• Research Organization: Tapco. Div. of Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc., Cleveland
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AT-11-1-GEN-8 , SUBCONTRACT N 843 FS-101221
• NSA Number: NSA-16-012784
• OSTI ID: 4797353
• Report Number(s): NAA-SR-6308
• Resource Relation: Other Information: For Atomics International. Div. of North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, Calif. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-62
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

SPACE APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
AIR
BEARINGS
CONDENSERS
CONVERSION
COOLING
DECAY
ELECTRICITY
FLUID FLOW
GENERATORS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER
LIQUID METALS
LUBRICATION
MERCURY
PACKAGING
POWER
PUMPS
RADIOISOTOPES
RANKINE CYCLE
SATELLITES
SNAP BATTERIES
STEAM
THERMAL RADIATION
TURBINES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems