The effect of maximum-allowable payload temperature on the mass of a multimegawatt space-based platform
Calculations were performed to determine the mass of a space-based platform as a function of the maximum-allowed operating temperature of the electrical equipment within the platform payload. Two computer programs were used in conjunction to perform these calculations. The first program was used to determine the mass of the platform reactor, shield, and power conversion system. The second program was used to determine the mass of the main and secondary radiators of the platform. The main radiator removes the waste heat associated with the power conversion system and the secondary radiator removes the waste heat associated with the platform payload. These calculations were performed for both Brayton and Rankine cycle platforms with two different types of payload cooling systems: a pumped-loop system (a heat exchanger with a liquid coolant) and a refrigerator system. The results indicate that increases in the maximum-allowed payload temperature offer significant platform mass savings for both the Brayton and Rankine cycle platforms with either the pumped-loop or refrigerator payload cooling systems. Therefore, with respect to platform mass, the development of high temperature electrical equipment would be advantageous. 3 refs., 24 figs., 7 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5962114
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-1449; ON: DE88001921
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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BRAYTON CYCLE
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
CONVERSION
COOLING
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS
MOBILE REACTORS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
POWER REACTORS
RANKINE CYCLE
REACTORS
REFRIGERATION
SHIELDING
SPACE POWER REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLE COMPONENTS
SPACE VEHICLES
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THERMAL MASS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
VEHICLES