A comparison of radioisotope Brayton and Stirling system for lunar surface mobile power. [Pu; Na; K]
- Rockwell Internatinal Rocketyne Division 6633 Canoga Avenue Canoga Park, CA 91303 (US)
A study was performed by the Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell 2.5-kWe modular dynamic isotope power system (DIPS) using a Stirling power conversion system. The results of this study were compared with similar results performed under the DIPS program using a Brayton power conversion system. The study indicated that the Stirling power module has 20% lower mass and 40% lower radiator area than the Brayton module. However, the study also revealed that because the Stirling power module requires a complex heat pipe arrangment to transport heat from the isotope to the Stirling heater head and a pumped NaK heat rejection loop, the Stirling module is much more difficult to integrate with the isotope heat source and heat rejection system.
- OSTI ID:
- 5380582
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-910116--
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States), Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States) Vol. 217:2; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPC
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
070300* -- Isotopic Power Supplies
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300302 -- Thermoelectric Generators-- Performance & Testing
42 ENGINEERING
425001 -- Engineering-- Power Cycles-- Brayton-- (1980-)
425003 -- Engineering-- Power Cycles-- Stirling-- (1980-)
BRAYTON CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COOLING SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EVALUATION
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT PIPES
HEAT SOURCES
MOON
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
POWER SYSTEMS
RADIATORS
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
SATELLITES
SPACE VEHICLES
STIRLING CYCLE
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
VEHICLES