SNAP I MERCURY BOILER DEVELOPMENT, JANUARY 1957 TO JUNE 1959
The mercury-boiler development program was undertaken to develop a system that would utilize the heat of radioisotope decay to boil and superheat mercury vapor for use with a small turbine-generator package. Through the use of a Rankine cycle, the mercury vapor can be provided continuously to power a turbine-driven alternator and produce electricity for extended periods of time. This mercury boiler and the related power-conversion system was planned for a satellite that would orbit the earth. This system design and development program was designated as SNAP-I. Development of the mercury boiler is described and a chronological description of the various mercury-boiler concepts is presented. The applicable results of an extensive literature survey of mercury are included. The mercury-boiler experimental-test-program description provides complete coverage of each experimental boiler and its relation to the system design of that period. A summary of all mercury boilers and their final disposition is also given. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Martin Co. Nuclear Div., Baltimore
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(30-3)-217
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-013463
- OSTI ID:
- 4067689
- Report Number(s):
- MND-P-2309
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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