SP-100/Brayton power system concepts

Author

Owen, Donald F.

Author_Institution

Rockwell Int., Canoga Park, CA, USA

fYear

1989

fDate

6-11 Aug 1989

Firstpage

1257

Abstract

Use of closed Brayton cycle (CBC) power conversion technology has been investigated for use with SP-100 reactors for space power systems. The CBC power conversion technology is being developed to provide highly efficient power conversion with radioisotope and solar collector heat sources. Characteristics including mass, radiator area, thermal power, and operating temperatures for systems utilizing SP-100 reactor and CBC power conversion technology were determined for systems in the 10 to 100 kWe power range. Possible SP-100 reactor/CBC power system configurations are presented. Advantages of CBC power conversion technology with regard to reactor thermal power, operating temperature, and development status are discussed

Keywords

fission reactor theory and design; heat engines; space vehicle power plants; 10 to 100 kW; CBC power conversion; SP-100 reactors; closed Brayton cycle; operating temperatures; radiator area; radioisotope heat sources; solar collector heat sources; space power systems; thermal power; Aerodynamics; Electronics packaging; Fuels; Inductors; Power conversion; Power system dynamics; Power systems; Space heating; Space stations; Space technology;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1989. IECEC-89., Proceedings of the 24th Intersociety

Conference_Location

Washington, DC

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IECEC.1989.74630

Filename

74630