The scalability of OTR (out-of-core thermionic reactor) space nuclear power systems
In this document, masses of the STAR-C power system and an optimized out-of-core thermionic reactor (OTR) power system versus power level are investigated. The impacts of key system parameters on system performance are also addressed. The STAR-C is mass competitive below about 15 kWe, but at higher power levels the scalability is relatively poor. An optimized OR is the least massive space nuclear power system below 25 kWe, and scales well to 50 kWe. The system parameters that have a significant impact on the scalability of the STAR-C are core thermal flux, thermionic converter efficiency, and core length to diameter ratio. The emissivity of the core surface is shown to be a relatively unimportant parameter. For an optimized OR power system, the most significant system parameter is the maximum allowable fuel temperature. It is also shown that if advanced radiation-hardened electronics are used in the satellite payload, a very large mass savings is realized. 10 refs., 23 figs., 7 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/NE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6923465
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-90-0163; ON: DE90013553
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
SPACE POWER REACTORS
DESIGN
SCALE MODELS
THERMIONIC CONVERSION
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
FUEL PARTICLES
FUELS
GRAPHITE
HEAT FLUX
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS
RADIATION HARDENING
SCALING LAWS
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
CARBON
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY TRANSFER
HARDENING
MINERALS
MOBILE REACTORS
NONMETALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
POWER REACTORS
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTORS
STRUCTURAL MODELS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
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