AMTEC Cell Optimization for Advanced Radioisotope Power System (ARPS) Design

Hendricks, Terry J.; Huang, Chendong; Huang, Lei

doi:10.4271/1999-01-2655

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The materials for the cell's hot structure has developed from stainless steel-316(SS-316) for the first generation PX-type sodium converters, to nickel, then the niobium alloys Nb-1Zr (1% Zr), and finally, molybdenum-rhenium (Mo-41% Re) alloys have been considered [20,85,[91][92][93]. The materials for the cell's cold structure has updated from stainless steel-316(SS-316) to haynes-25 super steel alloy (17-20% Cr, 10-14% Ni, and 1.5-2% Mn), and then niobium alloy C-103 (0.5% Zr), finally molybdenum-rhenium (Mo-41% Re) [20,85,[91][92][93]. The cell wall facing the BASE tubes should be thicker ($200 mm thick) than the cell wall above the BASE tubes ($100 mm thick) to reduce the parasitic heat losses from the BASE tubes to the side wall [85].…”

Section: The Efficiency Enhancement Of Vapor-fed Vapor Anode Multi-mentioning

confidence: 99%

A review on advances in alkali metal thermal to electric converters (AMTECs)

Xiao

Cao

2009

Int. J. Energy Res.

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SUMMARYThe alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) is one of the most promising technologies for direct conversion of thermal energy to electricity and has been receiving attention in the field of energy conversion and utilization in the past several decades. This paper aims to present a comprehensive review of the state of the art in the research and development of the AMTEC, including its working principles and types, historical development and applications, analytical models, working fluids, electrode materials, as well as the performance and efficiency improvement. The current two major problems encountered by the AMTEC, the time-dependent power degradation and relatively low efficiency compared to its theoretical value, are discussed in depth. In addition, a brief comparison of the AMTEC with other direct thermal to electric converters (DTECs), such as the thermoelectrics converter (TEC), thermionics converter, and thermophotovoltaics converter, is given, and combinations of different DTECs to further improve DTECs' power generation and overall conversion efficiency are demonstrated. Future research and development directions and the issues that need to be further investigated are also suggested. It is believed that this comprehensive review will be beneficial to the design, simulation, analysis, performance assessment, and applications of various types of AMTECs.

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Section: The Efficiency Enhancement Of Vapor-fed Vapor Anode Multi-mentioning

confidence: 99%

A review on advances in alkali metal thermal to electric converters (AMTECs)

Xiao

Cao

2009

Int. J. Energy Res.

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“…The low surface emissivity (or high re ectivity) of the thermal-radiation shield and the liquid sodium lm covering the condenser surface reduce heat losses by thermal radiation from the BASE tubes to the cell wall and the condenser, respectively. Additionally,in an RPS the cell would be thermally insulated on the outside using low-conductancemultifoil and molded Min-K insulation 5,27,28 to reduce the parasitic heat losses further. The following section reviews and screens refractory metals for potential use as structural materials in vapor-anode AMTEC cells.…”

Section: Px-type Amtec Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Refractory Materials for Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electric Conversion Cells

King

El‐Genk

2001

Journal of Propulsion and Power

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Refractory alloys are being considered as structural materials in multitube, vapor-anode alkali metal thermalto-electric conversion (AMTEC) cells for future use in radioisotope space electric power systems. In these power systems, the AMTEC cells would operate at a heat source temperature of » 1150 K and a radiator temperature of » 550 K, for a 7-15 year mission lifetime. In addition to high strength, low density, and low brittle-to-ductile transition temperature, suitable materials must be compatible with the sodium working uid and have low thermal expansion and low vapor pressure (<133 nPa). Refractory metals and alloys are reviewed for their potential use as structural materials in vapor-anode AMTEC cells. Results indicate that Nb-1Zr (niobium-1% zirconium) is a suitable choice, particularly for the hot-end structures of the cell (>900 K). C-103 (niobium-10% hafnium-1% titanium-0.5% zirconium) is also suitable, particularly for the cell's colder structure because of its higher strength and lower thermal conductivity.However, the compatibilityof these niobium alloys with sodium at typical operating temperatures and in the presence of minute amounts of oxygen ( >5-10 ppm) for up to 15 years needs further evaluation. Despite the limited availability of rhenium, Mo-Re alloys, with a rhenium content of 14-45%, are also good choices as structural materials in vapor anode AMTEC cells. However, their relatively higher density and thermal conductivity could lower the cell's performance and increase its speci c mass.

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Design optimization and integration of nickel/Haynes-25 AMTEC cells into radioisotope power systems

El‐Genk

Tournier

2000

Energy Conversion and Management

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AMTEC Cell Optimization for Advanced Radioisotope Power System (ARPS) Design

Cited by 11 publications

References 5 publications

A review on advances in alkali metal thermal to electric converters (AMTECs)

A review on advances in alkali metal thermal to electric converters (AMTECs)

Review of Refractory Materials for Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electric Conversion Cells

Design optimization and integration of nickel/Haynes-25 AMTEC cells into radioisotope power systems

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