Advances in high temperature components for AMTEC (alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter)

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5853524

Williams, R M; Jeffries-Nakamura, B; Underwood, M L; Ryan, M A; O'Connor, D; Kikkert, S

Long lifetimes are required for AMTEC (or sodium heat engine) components for aerospace and terrestrial applications, and the high heat input temperature as well as the alkali metal liquid and vapor environment places unusual demands on the materials used to construct AMTEC devices. In addition, it is important to maximize device efficiency and power density, while maintaining a long life capability. In addition to the electrode, which must provide both efficient electrode kinetics, transport of the alkali metal, and low electrical resistance, other high temperature components of the cell face equally demanding requirements. The beta{double prime} alumina solid electrolyte (BASE), the seal between the BASE ceramic and its metallic transition to the hot alkali metal (liquid or vapor) source, and metallic components of the device are exposed to hot liquid alkali metal. Modification of AMTEC components may also be useful in optimizing the device for particular operating conditions. In particular, a potassium AMTEC may be expected to operate more efficiently at lower temperatures.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Pasadena, CA (United States). Jet Propulsion Lab. (JPL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOD; National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA); USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States); National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AI01-86CE90237
• OSTI ID: 5853524
• Report Number(s): CONF-910801-26; ON: DE92006752
• Resource Relation: Conference: 26. intersociety energy conversion engineering (IECE) conference, Boston, MA (United States), 3-9 Aug 1991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
RHODIUM BASE ALLOYS
THERMAL TESTING
TUNGSTEN ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
FLUIDS
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLATINUM METAL ALLOYS
RHODIUM ALLOYS
TESTING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
300303* - Thermoelectric Generators- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries