Space Applications

Conversion Efficiency of Thermoelectric Combustion Systems

“…The overall efficiency given by (5) is also the system efficiency. However, in many other applications, the amount of heat that flows through thermoelectric converters is only a portion of the total available heat from a heat source.…”

“…It is to be noted that (1) is only valid if the temperature distribution in the ceramic layers is uniform. In a thermoelectric generator where a uniform heat source is completely enclosed by thermoelectric modules, such as radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) deployed for space applications [5], it is reasonable to assume that this requirement is met and its conversion efficiency can be estimated using (1) directly. In many other applications where hot fluids (liquids or gases) are used as heat sources, the temperature distribution along the ceramic layers varies with position due to heat being extracted via thermoelectric elements.…”

Power performance of US space radioisotope thermoelectric generators

“…Thermoelecmc conversion has not only enabled the successful operation of such challenging missions as Pioneers lO/ll, Viking Landers 1/2, Apollo lunar surface experiments, Voyagers 1/2, Galileo, and Ulysses it has also enabled the fist flight of a space nuclear reactor (SNAP-1OA in 1965) and all but two of the former Soviet Union's space nuclear power sources [3]. Clearly thermoelectric conversion has enabled a range of reliable, long-lived power sources that in turn have enabled a range of challenging space missions that in many cases could not have otherwise been accomplished.…”

“…For example, the Pioneer 10 spacecraft, which has left the Solar System, has been operating since 1972, yielding over 24 years of productive scientific research thanks to four small radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). In fact, thermoelectrics have shown themselves to be so reliable that all U.S. missions involving space nuclear power (whether RTGs or nuclear reactor) have relied on thermoelectric technology for the conversion of the nuclear-generated thermal power into electrical power [1, 2,3]. The only approved future U.S. mission involving nuclear power (Cassini mission to Saturn) will also rely on thermoelectric technology.…”

Thermoelectric Conversion of Waste Heat to Electricity in an IC Engine Powered Vehicle

“…Instead, we use the measured values of pressures and temperatures (1) at the outlet of the turbo-charger compressor and intercooler ("PBOOST" and "TBOOST" in Table 2.1); and (2) the inlet to the turbo-charger turbine ("PBACK" and "TBACK" in Table 2.1) to represent the inlet and exhaust ambient conditions, respectively.…”