Reversible thermodynamic cycle for AMTEC power conversion. [Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electric Converter]
- California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA (United States). Jet Propulsion Lab.
An AMTEC cell, may be described as performing two distinct energy conversion processes: (i) conversion of heat to mechanical energy via a sodium-based heat engine and (ii) conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy by utilizing the special properties of the electrolyte material. The thermodynamic cycle appropriate to an alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter cell is discussed for both liquid- and vapor-fed modes of operation, under the assumption that all processes can be performed reversibly. In the liquid-fed mode, the reversible efficiency is greater than 89.6% of Carnot efficiency for heat input and rejection temperatures (900--1,300 and 400--800 K, respectively) typical of practical devices. Vapor-fed cells can approach the efficiency of liquid-fed cells. Quantitative estimates confirm that the efficiency is insensitive to either the work required to pressurize the sodium liquid or the details of the state changes associated with cooling the low pressure sodium gas to the heat rejection temperature.
- OSTI ID:
- 5767758
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (United States), Vol. 140:10; ISSN 0013-4651
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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