Mars is the target of deep space exploration. The first problem of landing on
Mars and building a satellite base is the energy source. For more than 50 kW
high power demand, space nuclear energy system has the advantages of high
output power, large energy density, small area, short working time and so
on. Super-critical CO2 Brayton cycle with sodium cooled fast reactor is the
most promising power solution because of the high energy conversion
efficiency. The thermodynamic model of super-critical CO2 Brayton cycle
system with sodium cooled fast reactor as the heat source has been
established. After the analysis of circulation process, the relationship
between temperature, pressure and enthalpy at working point has been
discussed, and the relationship of circulation efficiency has been deduced.
The real gas model is used to correct the thermophysical properties of
super-critical CO2. The thermal efficiency of the system is analyzed under
the typical working condition of Mars surface. What?s more, the effects of
pressure ratio, compressor inlet temperature, turbine inlet temperature, and
the temperature ratio on the cycle efficiency are discussed to get the
optimal cycle characteristic and condition parameters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.