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The Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) is a thermally regenerated sodium concentration cell that converts heat directly into electricity without moving parts. The high efficiency of AMTEC cells is useful for power generation in space and terrestrial applications (Ivanenok et al. 1993a, 1993b). One of the advanced features proposed in current high efficiency AMTEC cell designs is remote condensing. Remote condensing occurs when the condensing surface of the cell is thermally isolated from the high temperature/T'-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) tube. The parasitic heat losses are significantly reduced, thereby improving the cell efficiency. However, this configuration also increases the local Na vapor pressure (sodium concentration) on the cathode side of the BASE tube, and thus lowers the BASE tube's power output. The balance of these opposing effects is very important in optimizing system designs. This paper derives the equations necessary to calculate the vapor flow pressure drop, and compares the calculations to experimental data.

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