Radioisotope AMTEC power system designs for spacecraft applications

Author

Ivanenok, Joseph F. ; Sievers, Robert K. ; Hunt, Thomas K. ; Johnson, Greg A.

Author_Institution

Adv. Modular Power Syst. Inc., Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Volume

8

Issue

12

fYear

1993

Firstpage

35

Lastpage

39

Abstract

The authors describe and compare small (two-module) and larger (16-module) AMTEC (alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter) radioisotope powered systems and describe the computer model developed to predict their performance. The high efficiency and static conversion process combined with minimized parasitic losses and operating temperatures that allow the use of current materials while still maintaining a competitive radiator area are found to make AMTEC an excellent candidate for enhanced performance space power systems. AMTEC has the capability of reducing mission costs relative to other static conversion systems because of its high efficiency. AMTEC can also reduce cost relative to dynamic systems simply by being less massive (10 to 5000 W level), and its use eliminates the torque and vibration issues of dynamic systems.<>

Keywords

nuclear power; space vehicle power plants; thermoelectric conversion; thermoelectric devices; 10 to 5000 W; 16-module system; alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter; computer model; efficiency; electrochemical concentration cell; mission costs; parasitic losses; performance model; radioisotope AMTEC power system; space power systems; spacecraft applications; static conversion; two-module system; Application software; Costs; Performance loss; Power system dynamics; Power system modeling; Power systems; Predictive models; Radioactive materials; Space vehicles; Temperature;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-8985

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/62.246042

Filename

246042