Validation Database Based Thermal Analysis of an Advanced RPS Concept

Abstract

Advanced RPS concepts can be conceived, designed and assessed using high-end computational analysis tools. These predictions may provide an initial insight into the potential performance of these models, but verification and validation are necessary and required steps to gain confidence in the numerical analysis results. This paper discusses the findings from a numerical validation exercise for a small advanced RPS concept, based on a thermal analysis methodology developed at JPL and on a validation database obtained from experiments performed at Oregon State University. Both the numerical and experimental configurations utilized a single GPHS module enabled design, resembling a Mod-RTG concept. The analysis focused on operating and environmental conditions during the storage phase only. This validation exercise helped to refine key thermal analysis and modeling parameters, such as heat transfer coefficients, and conductivity and radiation heat transfer values. Improved understanding of the Mod-RTG concept through validation of the thermal model allows for future improvements to this power system concept.

European Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) and Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs) for Space Science and Exploration

“…Electrical heating was used in this design and in subsequent generations of systems tested in the lab and reported in this paper. The use of electrical heating in developing radioisotope power is a standard approach; some examples in the literature of small scale electrically heated systems based on plutonium fuel include the systems developed by Woods et al (2006) and Balint and Emis (2006). The system initially delivered a maximum electrical power output of 3.46 ± 0.21 W, corresponding to an overall system efficiency of 4.20 ± 0.53%.…”