Assessment of dynamic energy conversion systems for radioisotope heat sources
Assessment of dynamic energy conversion systems for radioisotope heat sources
The use of dynamic conversion systems to convert the heat generated in a 7500 W(t) 90 Sr radioisotopic heat source to electricity is examined. The systems studies were Stirling; Brayton Cycle; three organic Rankines (ORCs) (Barber-Nichols/ORMAT, Sundstrand, and TRW); and an organic Rankine plus thermoelectrics. The systems were ranked for a North Warning System mission using a Los Alamos Multiattribute Decision Theory code. Three different heat source designs were used: case I with a beginning of life (BOL) source temperature of 640 C, case II with a BOL source temperature of 745/sup 0/C, and case III with a BOL source temperature of 945/sup 0/C. The Stirling engine system was the top-ranked system of cases I and II, closely followed by the ORC systems in case I and ORC plus thermoelectrics in case II. The Brayton cycle system was top-ranked for case III, with the Stirling engine system a close second. The use of /sup 238/Pu in heat source sizes of 7500 W(t) was examined and found to be questionable because of cost and material availability and because of additional requirements for analysis of safeguards and critical mass.
- University of North Texas United States
Radioisotopes, Even-Even Nuclei, Heat Sources, Radioisotope Heat Sources, Beta Decay Radioisotopes, Conversion, Years Living Radioisotopes Nesdps Office Of Nuclear Energy Space And Defense Power Systems 070300* -- Isotopic Power Supplies, Nuclei, Stirling Cycle, 620, Alkaline Earth Isotopes, Beta-Minus Decay Radioisotopes, Strontium Isotopes, Nesdps Office Of Nuclear Energy Space And Defense Power Systems, Isotopes, Strontium 90, Thermodynamic Cycles, Comparative Evaluations, Rankine Cycle, Brayton Cycle, 07 Isotopes And Radiation Sources, Intermediate Mass Nuclei, Energy Conversion
Radioisotopes, Even-Even Nuclei, Heat Sources, Radioisotope Heat Sources, Beta Decay Radioisotopes, Conversion, Years Living Radioisotopes Nesdps Office Of Nuclear Energy Space And Defense Power Systems 070300* -- Isotopic Power Supplies, Nuclei, Stirling Cycle, 620, Alkaline Earth Isotopes, Beta-Minus Decay Radioisotopes, Strontium Isotopes, Nesdps Office Of Nuclear Energy Space And Defense Power Systems, Isotopes, Strontium 90, Thermodynamic Cycles, Comparative Evaluations, Rankine Cycle, Brayton Cycle, 07 Isotopes And Radiation Sources, Intermediate Mass Nuclei, Energy Conversion
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