Direct conversion nuclear reactor space power systems
Conference
·
· Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5277374
This paper presents the results of a study of space nuclear reactor power systems using either thermoelectric or thermionic energy converters. An in-core reactor design and two heat pipe cooled out-of-core reactor designs were considered. One of the out-of-core cases utilized, long heat pipes (LHP) directly coupled to the energy converter. The second utilized a larger number of smaller heat pipes (mini-pipe) radiatively coupled to the energy converter. In all cases the entire system, including power conditioning, was constrained to be launched in a single shuttle flight. Assuming presently available performance, both the LHP thermoelectric system and minipipe thermionic system, designed to produce 100 kWe for seven years, would have a specific mass near 22kg/kWe. The specific mass of the thermionic minipipe system designed for a one year mission is 165 kg/kWe due to less fuel swelling. Shuttle imposed growth limits are near 300 kWe and 1.2 MWe for the thermoelectric and thermionic systems, respectively. Converter performance improvements could double this potential, and over 10 MWe may be possible for very short missions.
- Research Organization:
- Rasor Associates, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 5277374
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-820814-
- Conference Information:
- Journal Name: Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States) Journal Volume: 4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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